A Movie Review: Alice Adams

Alice Adams. Alice Adams (Katharine Hepburn) and her mother (Ann Shoemaker) wish they were wealthier. Alice wants to marry up. Her mother is upset that her husband (Fred Stone) has not achieved at the same level as others in the small town. She also has a brother (Frank Albertson) who is satisfied with his life. She is invited to a party of a wealthy friend. She runs into Arthur Russell (Fred MacMurray). He is wealthy and an obvious target.

I didn't find this to be one of Katharine Hepburn's better movies. To me, Arthur Russell's character just didn't feel real. I felt sorry for him as he was being manipulated badly by Alice. He was even told about the situation by others and experienced it himself and yet he couldn't help but fall for Alice. I just wonder what would happen after marriage when he realized he didn't marry the person he thought he was marrying.

One should feel even more sorry for Alice's father. He was manipulated into doing his boss (Charles Grapewin) wrong. His boss was not a heartless person. Alice's father had not worked for a very long time and yet his boss still paid him a salary. For anyone to encourage Alice's father to back stab his boss is essentially an evil person.

Of note: there is an actress in the movie named Evelyn Venable. One can't help but think of a certain actress named Jennifer Lawrence. The two have to be distant relatives.

Los Angelics at Silverlake Lounge

Los Angelics. They're a bundle of energy. Sara Coda and Sara Collins never stop moving. Their set has to be their own personal workout video. Their band practices and live sets have to be all the exercise they need to do. As for their sound? It is electronic. Along with the two Saras are two keyboardists, bouncing along with the beat.

I was asked by one of the Saras if I had a pen so that they could write down their set. Unfortunately, I didn't.

Folks should catch this band. If they let the music take them over, they'll have their exercise for the night covered for sure.
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Barb Wire Dolls and Others at Whisky a Go Go

Barb Wire Dolls

Barb Wire Dolls is doing a July/August residency at Whisky a Go Go. This is a return for them after just recently doing a March residency. Who could ask for more? This band leaves it all out there. And I love it. And photographers love it, as well. The place was packed with photographers. But who can blame us. This is a fun band to photograph and the Whisky a Go Go has great lights that make for some awesome outcomes.

Opening up for Barb Wire Dolls was Others. I quickly realized I was in for a great back-to-back set of bands. How could I tell? I was smiling throughout their set. I just couldn't help it. Long hair. Heavy metal. And yet approachable.
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A Movie Review: Heaven Can Wait (1943)

Heaven Can Wait. Henry Van Cleve (Don Ameche) has died. In the afterlife, he assumes based on his life that he's heading to Hell. At the Gates of Hell he meets with His Excellency (Laird Cregar). The two review his life story. Henry was one playboy. He even had a boyhood affair with the family French maid Mademoiselle (Signe Hasso). He settles down; however, when he falls for Martha (Gene Tierney). Even this life long love was clouded in scandal. His cousin Albert (Allyn Joslyn) was meant to marry Martha, but during a family gathering Henry convinces Martha to run away with him.

Perhaps the basic message of this movie is: you don't need to be perfect life. For me, I found the movie just ever so depressing. Here's a man who wasn't perfect, but definitely not a horrible person, looking back at his life and seeing it as a failure. Also, the love of his life dies way too soon and he is left with an empty feeling in his heart for the rest of his years. For me, it was all so depressing, because as you watch the movie you have to say he has totally misjudged his life.

One thing about the movie I found really interesting was how intent the Van Cleve family was to have their young adults marry others who were of their monetary status. Falling for showgirls or even young women from middle class backgrounds was totally unacceptable. Martha's family owned the largest meat packing company in America, which made her socially acceptable. As for the Van Cleve family, I'm  not sure what they did. I'm assuming they were bankers, but I don't believe it is directly referenced in the movie.

Yes, I found this movie depressing. Of course, the question is: did I enjoy it? I can't give it a thumbs up. My problem is that Don Ameche narrates the movie and I just found his voice rather monotone. Maybe that's a silly reason to dislike a movie and maybe he spoke that way as a sign of his resignation to his afterlife destiny. I just wanted more jazz there.  

Spectacular Spectacular, Katie Burden and Anahita Skye at Hotel Cafe

After a long absence, I headed off to Hotel Cafe. The one significant reason for my heading out was to catch Spectacular Spectacular. A friend is one of the back-up musicians for this trio.

I showed up a little early and got to catch Anahita Skye and Katie Burden. Anahita Skye music is joyful and preppy. You can't help but feel cheerful throughout the set. Katie Burden's style differs. The music is sung as if every word might lead one over the cliff. It makes one cling to every moment. I did not know this in advance, but Norm Block is part of her band -- I've followed him in other bands such as The Child.

The final band of the night was Spectacular Spectacular. I didn't know exactly what to expect. They had a couple sounds up on Soundcloud so I took a listen. The first song was Saturday Night. It starts out like a typical Hotel Cafe sound before suddenly exploding into a punk rock rage. Then it quickly transitions back to the typical Hotel Cafe sound. I was at a total loss. What is up with this band? Well, it all works very well during their live set.


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A Movie Review: Ant-Man

Ant-Man. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a thief. His thievery; however, was taking on The Man. He spends time in jail and upon release believes that he'll be able to get another job without a problem. He's wrong. He ends up going back to crime, cracking the safe of someone named Hank Pym (Michael Douglas). The only thing Scott Lang finds is a suit that sort of looks like a motorcycle suit. He decides to take it. Well, he soon finds out that this suit provides him the ability shrink in size at will.

Hank Pym is a former S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist who discovered this shrinking technology. He refused to turn it over to S.H.I.E.L.D., instead resigning his position. Well, this secret remained hidden until Scott Lang stole it. It was a good coincidence, because Pym's protege Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) is reaching a breakthrough on this shrinking technology.

Maybe it was because I was tired, but I wasn't into this movie. I'm not saying there aren't amusing moments, but for some reason the whole scene where Ant-Man finds himself in a roller coaster-like ride that starts at a bathtub and ends on a car roof just seemed too tailor-made for 8 year-olds and from that point on I got bored.

A Movie Review: Trainwreck

Trainwreck. Amy (Amy Schumer) takes after her father Gordon (Colin Quinn). Gordon previous couldn't stay committed to his wife (Amy's mother), cheating on her multiple times. They eventually divorced. Now Amy is off playing the field, sleeping with men she meets while out on the town. She isn't married, but has a semi-steady boyfriend in Steven (John Cena) who isn't aware that she doesn't consider their relationship monogamous.

Amy is a writer at a men's magazine. She is assigned to cover a sports surgeon named Adam (Bill Hader). They go out for drinks one night and, of course, Amy decides she's going to hook up with him. Instead of this being a one night stand, they actually start moving towards a serious relationship,which causes internal consternation for Amy.

There are some really funny moments in this movie. The LeBron James plays an important role in this movie and though he's not an Oscar winning actor, his scenes are hysterical. I really loved the scene where Adam and LeBron are off playing one-on-one basketball. (And there are some really key financial lessons addressed in this movie for fellow athletes.) When Amy is interacting with her sibling Kim (Brie Larson), who happens to have gone the total opposite direction of her father, or father the interactions are often funny -- there are some serious moments, as well.

My one problem with giving this a total thumbs up (just a mild one) is that I just didn't buy the relationship between Amy and Adam. From the very first night, it just felt to me that Amy was uncomfortable. Her sudden feelings of loss when Adam pulls away just didn't feel real. Also, in the long run, I think Adam was way too needy for someone like Amy who even in a real relationship probably would want a level of independence.

Beach Party, Swimm and Little Magic at The Echo

Beach Party

It is Beach Party's residency at The Echo. For some reason, I started to think The Doors and Jim Morrison. But then I started to think that Beach Party has the smooth vocal melodies. Let's just go with how their name is reflected, they're the beach party sound.

Opening up for them was Little Magic, doing their first show ever. Perhaps a little tentative on stage at times, but an endearing sound. They were given a rousing cheer at the end of their set. Swimm hit the stage with their button shirts and jeans, almost like a Casual Friday but sounding much more hip than your standard office employee.

There wasn't a more appropriate fit of band names on this night. You're off to a beach party to enjoy a swim and who knows maybe strike up a little magic with someone special.

A Movie Review: Mud

Mud. In Arkansas, Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) are two young teenagers who are best friends. As the movie opens, Ellis sneaks out of the house early one morning to meet up with Neckbone. The two take a boat out to an island. During a recent flood, a boat ended up in a tree. They want to check it out. They soon figure out that someone is living in that boat. A man named Mud (Matthew McConaughey) is living in the boat. Mud tells the boys he's waiting for his girlfriend, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). But why is he waiting on the island for his girlfriend? Well, he is guilty of murder. Juniper found herself in a bad relationship and Mud ended up killing the boyfriend. The police and bounty hunters (led by the dead man's father and brother) are out looking for Mud.

This movie has a singular message: brotherhood can over-come poor female relationships. Ellis and Neckbone are dear friends. Ellis is girl crazy, but picks the wrong girl as his first love. Yet, he always has Neckbone. Mud has essentially an adopted father who looks after Mud and even warns that Juniper is not what she seems. Even the father and brother seeking revenge for the man that Mud killed show a brotherhood. And as a final example, Ellis' parents are going through a divorce though the father doesn't appear to have a similar male counterpart as a close friend.

This is a small budget drama that packs a grand vision on the importance of male friendship.

Flower Jacket and Sleep State at Silverlake Lounge

Sleep State

Flower Jacket grooves to their own tune. Sometimes I felt like I was listening to some cool Los Angeles inspired rock sounds. Other times I thought maybe I was getting hit with some fusion jazz.

Sleep State is doing their residency. Occasionally, someone from the band or one of their friends will come up asking me to send over photos. And so it was on this night. I always send photos over. This band just seems to love playing together. There were smiles throughout the set. Nothing like friends enjoying a good gig together.
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A Movie Review: Only Lovers Left Alive

Only Lovers Left Alive. Adam (Tom Hiddleston) and Eve (Tilda Swinton) are married vampires. They; however, live apart from each other. Adam lives in Detroit and Eve in Tangier. Adam is a musician while Eve finds enjoyment via books. Adam isn't just a musician, he is a musical genius. We learn that he has provided his music to famous composers. We also learn that he currently puts his composition out there, but under a pseudonym. This doesn't work all that well as certain fans are able to track him down. Being a recluse, he really only has contact with one other individual named Ian (Anton Yelchin) who is human and his musical instrument provider.

Being a recluse and a musician, results in the stereotypical depressive behavior for Adam. Concerned for his well-being, Eve travels to Detroit. Unfortunately, Eve's sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska) shows up and turns their lives upside down.

I have a soft spot for vampire movies. I'd even say I enjoy the art house takes. But as for this movie? It was extremely dry. Adam and Eve bored me with their constant dreariness and what I'd call slowness to life. Yes, they were sort of cool in their actions, but still uninteresting. Ava brought a little excitement to the movie, but she was mostly a psychotic vampire who was more thoughtless and unable to think about potential consequences versus being pure evil. This just made her seem childish versus vampire-ish.

A Movie Review: Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer. Fear that global warming will destroy the planet results in world governments deciding to take aggressive action by spraying cooling agents/chemicals into the atmosphere. The plan backfires. Instead, a severe ice age descends on planet Earth. The population is wiped out except for a handful of individuals. The remaining survivors are on a train called the Snowpiercer. This train runs on rails that span the globe. It has a perpetual engine so there isn't any need for fuel. A class system is implemented on the train. There are those who live in first class and there are those who live in cramped worker quarters at the rear of the train. Those who lived in the cramped worker quarters are treated like animals. Offenses are treated in very harsh manners, carried out by Mason (Tilda Swinton).

Curtis (Chris Evans) is one of the individuals who lives in the cramped worker quarters. He and his fellow rear of the train passengers are planning a revolt. They plan to take over the train from Wilford (Ed Harris), an individual that is never seen or heard from and perhaps is nothing but the Wizard of Oz.

With nothing but crude weapons, they are able to over-run a small group of guards, but as they move towards the front of the train they face the ever growing strength of Wilford's military.

I know this movie was well reviewed, but I have to say I was under-whelmed. I get it, the wealthy live a life of unbelievable luxury, living off the backs of the poor. The poor have no ability to better their lives unless for some reason they have a unique skill that is needed by the wealthy -- the ability to play the violin, as an example. And no matter your high and mighty ideals, it is likely that the only way you can change the outcome is by destroying humanity. Check.

My problem, I thought the movie started out with some intrigue, but then descended into the laughable though with some interesting twists along the way. Example, when the rebellion meets up with a heavily armed military force, they are initially badly out-maneuvered on the strategic front. Via some strategy on their own part, they are able to regroup. My problem, and I have this with many such movies, how does a group of individuals with no military training take down a well armed (and should I assume well trained) group. And then as the rebels progress up the train, the reaction of those in first class is surreal (I get it, the wealthy are so disconnected from reality of the poor that they don't feel the need to pay attention to the poor -- even when they are rising up). Then we get to the ending where we have to assume that humanity is toast even though the film ends with a feeling of hope. Hope. Yeah right, the survivors are toast.

A Movie Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. Can a movie about death inspire? This movie does. Greg Gaines (Thomas Mann) is in his senior year at high school. His life has certain pluses and minuses. He has an ability to get along with all the various high school cliques. So though his lanky appearance and moody personality might lead one to believe he'd get bullied, he is able to navigate away from that. The downside to not being a true member of a clique is that it limits his real friends. He only has one real friend, a person he is reluctant to call a friend, Earl (Ronald Cyler II). The two of them enjoy making re-interpreted films of movie classics. Other than the lack of real friends, a serious minus in Greg's life is his very low self-esteem.

After coming home from school one day, his mother informs him that a classmate named Rachel Kushner (Olivia Cooke) was diagnosed with leukemia. She presses him to visit Rachel. Greg is apprehensive about this. Though he knows Rachel, he isn't close to her. He eventually agrees. The two of them have a very awkward first meeting at her house as both agree that neither is all that interested in talking to the other. They eventually break the ice and soon hang out together on a regular basis. In fact, Greg is one of the few individuals of the same age bracket that is there to support Rachel through her struggles.

During one of his visits with Rachel, he brings along Earl. This meeting soon leads to Rachel viewing the films that Greg and Earl make. One of Rachel's other friends Madison (Katherine C. Hughes) convinces Greg and Earl to make a movie for Rachel. This request creates enormous pressures on Greg as he attempts to stretch himself beyond his comfort zone.

I just love this movie. This movie doesn't make death into a tear-jerker, but instead focuses on life. There are some wonderful side stories to this movie. One of those side stories is the awkward friendship between Greg and Madison. Greg has an enormous crush on Madison. What he doesn't realize -- driven by his low self-esteem -- is that Madison has a crush on him. He just won't allow himself to believe that one of the cutest girls at the school isn't out to manipulate him, but is instead interested in him.

More on the focus on life: Rachel knows she's dying, but she presses on Greg the importance of living. She emphasizes the importance of him applying to college. At the same time, she has a dying wish, she wants to see Greg's movie dedicated to her: a focus on the next step while enjoying what you can about the present.

A minor issue with the movie: I could have done without the cliche high school movie scene of walking into the cafeteria and passing each different clique.

My question: why hasn't this movie done better at the box office? I wonder if this movie is meant to have more meaning for adults versus teenagers.