It slid just in under the wire of the seasons, but I think I may have just seen my favorite movie of the summer. I've seen some good ones over the past few months (notably, Superbad, which is also fantastic), but after seeing this movie, I was sparked to post about it.
It's in limited release right now (in LA, at the Laemmle in Pasadena as well as the nice new Landmark Theaters on Pico), but worth seeking out. Just watch the trailer:
It is a funny, warm movie. Someone pointed out that it was kind of like a Christopher Guest movie, and I tend to agree (does that mean we can trade in For Your Consideration, then?), but in the best possible way. It would have been easy to make this movie one big joke at the subjects' expenses, but I never felt like I was laughing at them. It's just a great movie, and you'll have to see it to believe me when I say it is actually sweet, too. Oh, and the audience cheered at the end, even...
Coming out in October...performing in LA in December...
So, with my ladyfriend out of town, I indulged in a mini horror movie marathon last night, with my frequent co-hort for all things nerdy. Instead of watching any recent movies, we played catch up with two classics that, somehow I have never seen: the original Dawn of the Dead and John Carpenter's The Thing.
It may be hard to believe that the person who may have created things like this, this, this, this, and this has never actually seen the original Dawn of the Dead, and it is, in fact, hard to believe. Much to my delight, it was everything I hoped it would be--certainly worth checking out. If this trailer doesn't do it for you, I don't know what will:
And, as for The Thing, it also, for lack of a better term, was awesome. Since seeing Grindhouse last spring, I've rediscovered Kurt Russell, who is just perfect for these kinds of movies. However, what really stood out to me was not Russell, but Wilford Brimley, who was in it...and he is pretty nuts in it, too. Think about this the next time you eat your Quaker Oats.
I was struck, watching both of these, at how I must be getting old, because as The Thing ended, with a quiet, eerie image, I just kept thinking that they don't make horror movies like that anymore. Or, with Wilford Brimley.
It took a lot of doing, and it looked like it might not happen, but I managed to get a pair of tickets to the instantly sold-out Stevie Wonder concert at the Greek Theater...Needless to say, I am particularly happy--both for myself, but especially for my special ladyfriend, who has always wanted to see him live. As he barely ever tours, I made getting tickets a mission. It should be pointed out, too, to his credit, he could have charged a lot more for tickets. Of course, like every concert, they're still overpriced; however, compared to other people of his generation (I'm looking at you, Rolling Stones) and younger (you too, Police), he kept the price relatively low.
As a taste of why I'm excited, here's a little clip..
And, of course, this has nothing to do with music, but I like any excuse to watch this..
And, if the title of this post rings a bell, you grew up in the 80's, as well, watching "The Cosby Show."
This is just about a perfect poem, in my book. By the new Poet Laureate, Charles Simic.
It has been a long, long, long time since I have posted, but after seeing this guy last night, I was reminded of the blog, and the thousands of readers left in the cold by my absence. Some day, I'll write about my mystical journey that has kept me from writing on here, but for now, the matter at hand.
Last night, we went to my favorite spot for music in LA, Largo, for a night of "Songs of Protest." A really interesting night, with lots of great music--it was the closest to a hootenany I think I've ever been to...plus, Victoria Williams, one of my favorites, played a couple of songs. (My only complaint is that, the way it was advertised, it made it seem like she was going to be more of the "featured" artist of the night, as opposed to a "guest," but, as I enjoyed the rest of the performers, it was OK...) Anyway, in thinking about protest music, I've been thinking all morning about my current, favorite "protest" songs. That's a loose term, to say the least (I think these are really more "politically relevant," perhaps), but here are a few that I'm actively listening to, in no particular order...
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, "This Land is Your Land." Not only is Sharon Jones one of the best live performers I've ever seen, and this is a great version of the song.
Bruce Springsteen, "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?" A fantastic version from the recent Live in Dublin CD. This is an old Blind Alfred Reed song, with, in folk tradition, has some added material, written after Katrina. It doesn't take a lot of reading between the lines to know who this is about: He took a look around gave a little pep talk, said "I'm with you" then he took a little walk.
...and, hell, while we're talking about it, this is an amazing version of "Eyes on the Prize" from the same collection--here, as a duet with Mark Anthony Thompson.
Randy Newman, "Louisiana." This is an old one, but I've been playing catch up with Randy Newman as of late. Dylan played this on his radio show, and while it isn't overtly political, the echoes are obvious. This is a recent, solo version, and it gives me goosebumps.
Patton Oswalt, "The Dukes of Hazard" and "Alternate Earth." Not protest "music," of course, but these sure do make me laugh. It's a sign of amazing stand up comedy when you can listen to it a bunch of times and not get bored with it.
And, of course, there's this...
