A Movie Review: Pitch Perfect 2

Pitch Perfect 2. The Barden Bellas are performing for President Obama's birthday. There is an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) exposes her "down under." The result, a national scandal. Punishment must be dealt out. The Bellas are restricting from performing in any competitions. There is a loophole; however. They are still allowed to compete in the a capella world tournament held in Denmark.

As they prepare for the tournament, life and a lost of confidence infiltrates the group. Beca (Anna Kendrick) gets an internship with a top producer. The Bellas go to a car show to catch their potential biggest competitors, the Das Sound Machine from Germany. The Germans are excellent and send a demoralizing chill through the Bellas. Then the team gets invited to a secret sing-off where they get to match their skills directly against DSM. Unfortunately for them, they get eliminated when new comer and freshman Emily Junk (Hailee Stenfeld) freezes. It just goes downhill from there. Somehow, The Barden Bellas need to get their mojo back.

Over-all, this is an enjoyable movie. I'm not sure it carries the same spark that the first movie had, but that would be asking a lot. I did have some problems with the movie that prevents me from giving this a rave review. First, I honestly didn't think Hailee Stenfeld had the greatest vocals when she auditioned for the Barden Bellas. I wasn't exactly sure why they took her. Second, the introduction of Emily Junk made it all too obvious that we should expect to see Pitch Perfect 3: the next generation. I could potentially list a few others, but I'll go with this final one: did Snoop Dogg really think that his rendition of "Winter Wonderland" was anything other than boring?

On the other hand, the music rocks. The Green Bay Packers showing up is hysterical. I loved how the camera focused in on a cameo role by Robin Roberts -- though I did momentarily think: why is she there? Not that I have anything negative to say about her. It is just that Robin Roberts is employed by ABC, while Pitch Perfect is made by Universal Studios/NBC. And one has to stick around after the credits roll, because perhaps the most  hysterical moment of the movie happens at that point.

A Movie Review: From Here to Eternity

From Here to Eternity. Robert E. Lee Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) plans to make it as a military man in 1941 Hawaii. First; however, he has to deal with Captain Dana Holmes (Philip Ober). It so happens that Robert is an excellent boxer. So excellent that he almost killed his friend during a sparing match. Due to this, Robert refuses to fight. Captain Holmes does not like this answer as he wants his unit to win the boxing championship. The captain makes life as difficult as possible for Robert. Meanwhile, Sgt. Milton Warden (Burt Lancaster) has eyes for the Captain's wife, Karen Holmes (Deborah Kerr). Probably due to this factor, he tries his best to cover for Robert.

This is an interesting film where in one sense the female characters show far more desire/ambition than their male counterparts. Perhaps one could argue that they're even willing to cross over the line to get what they desire. Karen Holmes does in fact fall for Sgt Warden; however, she doesn't want to give up the prestige associated with being an officer's wife. So she pushes Sgt. Warden to pursue an officer's commission. Alma (Donna Reed) is a young woman that Robert pursues romantically. She intends to marry up in life and so tells Robert that he is really just her boy toy. At the conclusion of the movie, we learn that she is willing to lie to get what she desires. Now perhaps this all can be viewed as sexist, that a woman needs a man to be seen as important. On the other hand, I found the two female characters far more aggressive then the male counterparts in the movie.

Other than starring Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed; there are supporting roles from Frank Sinatra, Ernest Borgnine and Jack Warden.

A solid movie that holds up well.

 

A Movie Review: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Seeking a Friend of the End of the World. That world ending asteroid has appeared and is about to destroy humanity -- either via immediate death or long-term starvation, I suppose. If one can say, this is a rather light-hearted take on the end of humanity when compared to a movie such as Melancholia.

With an asteroid only days away, Dodge (Steve Carell) finds himself alone. His wife has freaked out and left him. For some reason, he continues to go to work. His co-workers are slowing drifting away either via suicide or just leaving to be with family. He eventually decides to leave, as well. He finds himself hanging out with his apartment neighbor, Penny (Keira Knightley). They decide to spend their last few days helping each other out. Penny wants to be with her family. Dodge wants to find his high school sweetheart.

They take a semi-amusing road trip. Sure there are some serious moments that are played for dark humor: the truck driver who has hired a hit man to take his life, the police officer who has to play it by the book even with only days left for humanity, the preppers who plan on surviving it all. This end of the world movie doesn't take anything serious even though it does address in bits the various reactions that would no doubt occur if such an event was about to hit earth.

This movie is sort of forgettable and yet watchable. The ending attempts to make a profound statement, but it really doesn't feel like one. In the end, an average movie that sort of underwhelms considering the talents of the two leads.

My Spring 2015 Movie Rankings

I didn't really catch all that many Spring movies in the theater -- though looking at last year's list, I did end up seeing 1 more movie this time around though I think I could have skipped out on Jupiter Ascending and made it equal year over year.

Excellent

Cinderella
Ex Machina

Average

Fast and Furious 7

Awful

Jupiter Ascending

A Movie Review: Ex Machina

Ex Machina. Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) is selected to meet the reclusive CEO of the corporation he works for, Nathan (Oscar Isaac). He is flown by helicopter across a glacier pack and is deposited in a beautiful meadow. There, surrounded in the distance by this glacier pack, is Nathan's research lab. He learns that Nathan has selected him to test an artificial intelligence named Ava (Alicia Vikander). He is to determine if Ava has human qualities. Ava, by the way, is a very beautiful robot creature.

After a couple of interview sessions with Ava, Caleb finds himself falling for this artificial intelligence. Nathan is less enamored with Ava. To him, Ava is a scientific experiment. She is a something that can be improved upon. Nathan lets Caleb know that he is likely to pull the plug on Ava at some point, taking what he has learned and improving upon it.

I think this movie focuses on two human desires: love and survival. Has Nathan created an advanced enough A.I. who can feel love and has the desire to survive. I think Alex Garland's (director/writer) answer is no to one and yes to the other.

This movie also has a very intense look into the triangle relationship between Caleb, Nathan and Ava. Caleb finds himself falling in love with Ava. Nathan views Ava as his experiment. Ava believes she is alive. Is one playing the other? Is one or more characters simply evil? By the end of the movie, I think we can conclude that Caleb is simply a pawn, a naive one at that. Nathan perhaps blinded by his passion to create has passed that line between scientific explorer and murderer. Ava though initially sympathetic is one that must be viewed skeptically at the end: did her creator forget one or more important elements of being human: a sense of moral behavior and empathy?

My one complaint: the whole scene where Caleb suspects that maybe he is an A.I. He cuts open his arm and with all the blood spilling out one has to think that maybe he cut an artery versus a vain. How did he possibly survive such a deep cut?

Over-all, this is a thought invoking movie that can lead to some deep introspection and conversations.

Cillie Barnes and Joe Keefe at The Satellite

Cillie Barnes

Cillie Barnes is Los Angeles' Natalie Merchant. I can't explain why specifically. I suppose it is because I bet if Natalie Merchant was playing a set at The Satellite, I'd think of Cillie Barnes. What did I notice first about Cillie Barnes' set? How much care she took in decorating the stage. Candles on stands. Candles inserted into hanging bulbs. Gigantic paper flowers with the stems attached to paper cups. A microphone stand decorated with flowers. What was fun about the set itself was the use of the projector. Of course, video was shown via the projector, but what was really cool was that it allowed shadows of the musicians to play across the back of the stage -- helped along by a white curtain. Yeah, Cillie Barnes did some careful planning for her residency.

Joe Keefe from Family of the Year opened up for Cillie Barnes. Some may not know this, but Cillie Barnes used to be part of Family of the Year. It was an introspective set. Of course, "Hero" was one of the final songs played. The crowd was very appreciative as the song concluded. It has been a long time since I last got to catch Family of the Year. Joe Keefe's set was a real pleasure.
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A Movie Review: Prisoners

Prisoners. The Dover and Birch families are close friends. My sense was that Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) and Franklin Birch (Terrence Howard) have known each other since at least their high school years -- though I could be wrong there. The two families get together one Thanksgiving at the Birch family house. The two younger girls of the two families get permission to head off to the Dover family house with the expectation that at least one of the older siblings will join them. Unfortunately, there is some miscommunication and the two young girls head off on their own.

The two girls are kidnapped and the spotlight immediately falls on a driver of a van that was seen in the neighborhood. The driver is Alex Jones (Paul Dano), who also happens to have the mental capacity of a 10 year old.

Without any evidence that Alex Jones committed the crime, he is released from custody. Keller can't accept this and kidnaps Alex Jones.

There are some interesting reviews out there that really dig into this movie: for example, the movie really takes it out on Christians -- Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) and a priest named Father Patrick Dunn (Len Cariou) -- while promoting secret societies -- Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal). I can see the point, the Christians are seen as making rash decisions while the detective is seen as being methodical. Father Patrick Dunn is also a sex offender, but perhaps can be seen as playing a demented role of hero.

The following contains spoilers.

After finishing the movie, I initially started to think: this movie makes no sense. It only makes sense if Holly Jones (Melissa Leo) was the driver of the van that picked up the two young girls. Holly Jones (the "aunt" of Alex Jones) is revealed to be the true kidnapper of the children. But then when the van was at the gas station, Alex Jones was definitely the driver of the van.

After reading reviews, I've come to the conclusion that Alex Jones was complicit in the abduction of the two girls. Does it mean that he deserved the treatment that he received from Keller? Considering how Holly Jones was able to control the minds of those she abducted over the years, I think it is rather clear that Alex Jones was just as much a victim as the two young girls. My one problem with this conclusion and I think it is also mentioned in the movie: how can someone with an IQ of a 10 year old go around driving a van?

I do love how all the suspects in the movie are tied together. And I love watching Detective Loki carefully put together his analysis.

I actually think that this is a movie that one might benefit from reading a few spoilers so that the focus can be on how this vast interconnected story plays out.

Golden Coast with Armors/Act As If at Bootleg HiFi

Golden Coast

A new month, which means excitement for a new group of Monday night residencies. Golden Coast is made up of Denny White and Steven Mudd. From what I read, they're from Colorado, but you'd swear their music is the sounds of Southern California summer nights. Well, I guess that means they made the right move in coming out to California. Along for the ride was a guitarist who took to her instrument like a jazz improvisational expert.

Armors. They're young. They're fun. They place their drummer right up front with the rest of the band, which I love. Actually, their drummer down triple duty: playing, singing, and speaking. At times, it sounded like he was eager to catch his breath for just a few seconds.

Act As If. I missed most of their set. That wasn't the intent. I just misjudged the start time. I loved their smooth sound. They take their time, allowing one to wrap themselves up in the embrace of their music.
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Dororthy and David and The Curse/Wake Up Lucid at The Satellite

Dorothy

Dorothy had her final residency night at The Satellite. It was spine tingling. I was initially surrounded mostly by her fans. I say initially and mostly, because there was one new person there. It didn't take long for that one person to become an enthusiast fan. As for The Satellite itself, it was packed. I wonder if they had to turn people away at the door. It is a strong possibility.

I will say: when she gets big, she's going to take it out on her boyfriend. Watch out former boyfriend. When she gets to showcase her stuff on one of the late night talk shows, you better not watch.

Opening up for her was David and The Curse. What did I notice: he had a friend there taking photos. Every time he was about to leap in the air, he'd give a nod to his friend who would rush into position to take a shot.

Wake Up Lucid was a great set-up for Dorothy. Their pulsating rock got one in the perfect mindset to rock.



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Dorothy with The Golden Hippie/Badflower

Dorothy

The Dorothy residency kicked into high gear on a recent Monday night.  Her whisky voice drives one into a frenzy.  She came onto the stage with a cigarette.  She then switched to an energy drink before settling in on whisky.  It didn't matter what she had in her hand, she commands the stage with a slightly wicked smile.

If a comment she made is interpreted correctly, she recently broke up with a famous boyfriend.
   
Badflower and The Golden Hippie supported the night.  Badflower has Sunset Strip vibes along with their fan base.  Yet, when I checked out their Facebook page, it would appear they play mostly on the eastside.  The Golden Hippie has vocals that can standout at Hotel Cafe -- hey, that reminds me that I haven't gone to Hotel Cafe in a very long while.

Comment of the set:  I need to go home to celebrate 420.



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Brokechella 2015: Adventures

Brokechella turned 5 this year. What could one expect? What else, but a great day of music and art. And I was there to cover it all. 

I got to Brokechella a touch later than I anticipated. For those who know me, I’m rather cheap when it comes to parking my vehicle. So I went looking for a free parking space. There was one section not that far from Brokechella that looked wide open, but then I noticed the street signs that said no parking between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – except for Sunday. Now why one can’t park there on a Saturday between those hours is beyond me, but whatever. I took a quick turn and found what I thought was the perfect spot. But when I got out of my car, I noticed that there were scattered patches of yellow paint on the curb.  Hmm, what are the rules with a yellow curb? In the back of my mind, I remembered parking at a white curb, which was in similar condition a few years back. I got a ticket that day. I decided I wasn't going to take a chance and that led for a hunt for parking that took forever – and eventually after driving in circles I found a parking spot about 50 meters from those two original spots. 

Note: Via my reading, yellow curb rules do apply on a Saturday (day of Brokechella), but not on a Sunday. 

I ended up missing one band I wanted to catch due to my obsession.

cARTel Outdoor Stage 

Jr.

Comment of the set: That was f*cking loud . . . start it and let’s see if it works.

Lyrics of the set: What do you expect from me? It doesn’t matter now.   

Jr. was a great way to start things off. Their Facebook page mentions aerobie rings and commercials as influences. So I guess that really means exercise and television?

Brownies & Lemonade Stage

Malcs

Comment of the set: You came here for new music. So I’m here.

Lyrics of the set: All damn day with the money.

As he rapped his way through his brief set, I became fascinated with his attire. He wore a cap with Japanese script and what I believe was the image of Mount Fuji. He also wore Stussy attire. What’s Stussy? I decided to look it up. It is a retail store. Personally, I couldn't help but think of a local band I follow called Pu$$y Cow.

 Award: Best effort to get the crowd involved.

cARTel Outdoor Stage

Death Lens

Lyrics of the set 1: I know it is not right.

Lyrics of the set 2: I am all alone in this world.

This band reminded me of two things. The Blue Star venue which is now shut down as a venue – it might still be open as a diner. Like the location of Brokechella, the Blue Star is in a hidden part of Los Angeles (though admittedly the Brokechella location is becoming less hidden every passing day. I also got the feeling that Death Lens is the male psychedelic version of Feels (previously known as Raw Geronimo).

During the set, I notice two volunteers doing a 50 meter (maybe 100 meter) dash outside the gates of the venue.  I wonder who won?

Smoke Season

Lyrics of the set: You got bees on your tongue.

I interviewed Gabrielle Wortman at Brokechella’s media day. So I was eager to catch their set. I’m happy I did. Their infusion of electro soul really got me in the photography mood.

I saw a Brokechella interview with Gabrielle where the comedian asked her about her jewelry. Well, I started to become fascinated with her tattoos and had this desire to ask her what they meant to her.

The first breeze of the afternoon hit during their set. It helped bring down the temperatures to a reasonable level. What was also cool was that it was that perfect time of day to do band photography, a couple hours before sunset.

Brownies & Lemonade Stage

Skye Townsend

Lyrics of the set: Did you play me?

Comment of the set: I’m sorry this started late. I was really nervous.

She didn't seem nervous. She had total command of the stage. She even had the awareness to tell her drummer (based on what Skye said, she’d only practiced with her bandmates once), “keep it soft there.” 

Award: Biggest surprise of the festival. Anita Baker II.

Mariami

Lyrics of the set: Open up the gates and let me in your life . . . open up the gates and let the angels sing.

Comment of the set: I’m from the Republic of Georgia.  It is a very small country in Eastern Europe.

She is the siren from the Republic of Georgia though she resides in New York City.

cARTel Indoor Stage

MRK

Lyrics of the set: Burn the money.

Comment of the set: Happy new moon. Happy Brokechella.

Like Smoke Season, I also interviewed MRK. After our interview as well as watching one of her videos, I was expecting something unique for Brokechella. And did she ever deliver it. She was dressed in red and carried a rod. Out of the end of the rod was a flower. Her duality of life. And with the flower coming out of the rod, I couldn’t help but think of the Biblical Aaron’s rod.

Shifty Rhythms Stage

Grimecraft

His bandcamp page states, “A humanoid Robot from a world beyond your monitor.”

He’s from San Francisco. It makes perfect sense.

My thoughts while hanging out in the Shifty Rhythms Stage: how long can folks bounce like they are in front of the stage before they become dehydrated? Okay, I had just gotten myself a bottle of water and drank nearly all of it in one gulp in an attempt to rehydrate myself. It didn’t really work.

cARTel Outdoor Stage

Babes

Lyrics of the set: Isn't it love.

Sarah Rayne, singer/keyboardist, for one of their songs screamed out, “Break down the gates.” She wasn't kidding. Midway through the song, she jumped off the stage and attempted to break down the metal barrier surrounding the stage.

The band had blow-up lollipops in various “flavors”: cherry, grape and strawberry. They tossed it out to the audience. I picked up one and tossed it into the audience and nearly ended up throwing one right into the face of a young woman. Luckily, she ducked.

Award: Best blow-up lollipop energy.

cARTel Indoor Stage

The Nieghbors

Lyrics of the set: Flow black river flow, think I found my home away from home.

I went to their Facebook page while writing this up to catch their music one more time. Hmm. Their music on Facebook page is so relaxing. This is the exact opposite of what I remember from the set. What I remember from the band was a big band jazz atmosphere. Everyone got their chance to solo.  Everyone in the audience gave each band member their due cheers. The Indoor Stage was packed and folks loved it.

I noticed a guy with a Babes blow-up lollipop. He put his jacket around it to make it look like a cherry skeleton. His girlfriend laughed, took ahold of the skeleton and started to dance with it.  Ha ha.

Anabot

Lyrics of the set: You will always wonder . . . so bit your tongue, this is what you prayer for.

Earlier in the day, I noticed a young woman walking around covered in metallic paint.  I couldn't help but think, “Wizard of Oz and is that good for you skin?” Well, wouldn't you know it, that person was Anabot. 

cARTel Outdoor Stage

Figs Vision

First thought: do you want to bounce to some music?

Comment of the set: If you like what you hear, take a CD and pass it back.

Lyrics of the set: It is time to say goodbye.

I want to know what is in the percussionist’s backpack. I also want to know if they like figs.

cARTel Indoor Stage

Hi Ho Silver Oh

Lyrics: my soul sleeps, my heart’s tired.

Their music is lyrical and soul searching with the occasional dissonance.


Around this time, the Brokechella staff was relaxing and no doubt dwelling on their accomplishment. A handful of them were hanging out on the couches in front of the stage.  

cARTel Outdoor Stage

OYLS

Comment of the set: My parents are here tonight. I need you to prove that I made the right decision to pursue music.

Lyrics of the set: Where do we go from here?

With midnight fast approaching, the weather was a touch chilly, but their fans pressed against the metal barrier. A projector projected OYLS against one of the Los Angeles River – as amazing as it sounds, we do have a river -- bridges.

They were having a bit of a problem getting things set up and so their set got cut short.  I think they only got through 4 songs. The police helicopter coming around shortly after midnight was the clue that it was time to wrap up the night.

Brokechella 2015 was a rocking success though I do miss photographing the bikers/skaters from last year. Can you bring them back for 2016!!!

A Movie Review: Noah

Noah. This movie takes a rather horrid view of humanity.  Noah is based on the Biblical individual Noah.  Now Noah built an ark per God's command as God was going to destroy the earth in a great flood.  The movie follows this general story line, but what I found problematic is that Noah (Russell Crowe) comes across as a psychotic genocidal murderer.  Spoiler alert: here's a person who nearly kills his two grandchildren.  Essentially, anyone who considers this does not deserve to be seen as an hero.  This is a person who won't even save the most innocent of young women.

I will admit that Noah initially comes across as a caring human being.  He rescues a young girl named Ila (Emma Watson).  Something changes; however.  As the ark nears completion, he secretly walks into the equivalent of Babel and is shocked by the evil he sees.  This is supposed to explain the reason why he becomes a genocidal murderer.  Of course, he saw similar evil years earlier so why would he suddenly turn his back not only on the evil doer, but also on the innocent is unknown.

Ugh, this Noah is as bad as the evil doers he leaves to die in the flood waters.

Odessa and Marz Leon/Jennie Tran at Bootleg HiFi

At the Bootleg HiFi, April belongs to Odessa. I just have to say, can anyone strum guitar strings as sexy as Odessa?  I doubt it.  And her voice, they can calm violent ocean waves.  When she sang, "He’s what I want, he’s what I need, He’s everything in between," I think every guy in the audience swooned.

Comment heard as I was leaving for the night, "She's an angel."

Opening up the night was Marz Leon.  Marz Leon sang in near darkness.  Someone was videotaping her set and I suspect that the light was just too dim for him.  I notice that he asked someone to keep her smartphone light on during the set.  Marz Leon's set was brief and beautiful.  It didn't last more than 15 minutes, leaving one feeling like a tender embrace had ended too soon.

Jennie Tran changed it up after Marz Leon.  The lights turned up and the music went from meditative to the beats.  This is the type of music where you find yourself putting your arms above your head and then let the music control the rest.

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