All We Say and Do Is Right

Now blogging elsewhere...

2006-09-13T23:24:00.000-04:00

http://ireadsomething.blogspot.com

Super Bowl Verdict

2006-02-06T02:06:00.000-05:00

I thought this would be an interesting game. Maybe it's the 2 weeks of uber-hype. Sorry to say but Super Bowl XL was nothing more than a Super Bowl mini. It was a weak game. It wasn't some great defensive battle. It just seemed like offensive ineptitude. This is the best the NFL had to offer?

I can think of 25 better games this season. And don't even get me started on the most boring overpriced commercial spots in history. I did drive somewhere during halftime but I can't imagine that a bunch of hip-shaking skeletons doing a mini set with a bunch of fireworks did much to improve the overall experience of the game.

Congrats to the Steelers. Every team is now undefeated. John Madden is old.

Battle of the 2006 Festivals: Bonnaroo lays the smacketh down Coachella

2006-02-04T18:24:00.000-05:00

What do you get when you mix the best live band on the planet, jam bands, and some of the hipper bands on the indie rock scene? Bonnaroo 2006? The yearly trek for many to Tennessee this year might be a bit different.

Some of the usual suspects will be attending like parts of Grateful Dead and Phish as well as Medeski, Martin, & Wood and Rusted Root. Music critic darlings like Bright Eyes, Clap Your Hands Say Yea, The Magic Numbers, Devendra Banhardt, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, and Death Cab For Cutie will be performing as well.

If this all sounds nice but not enough to tip the scales for you, the promoters had one more trick up their sleeves. The ace in the hole. Radiohead, one of if not the greatest musical act on the planet is headlining with no other performances announced as of yet except for a Chicago park show that never happened due the necessity of that venue being used as a practice space for the symphony. Beck and My Morning Jacket are also confirmed. As for ageless rock icon like wonders, Tom Petty and Elvis Costello will also be attending with their respective bands.

Personally, I would be excited to see Cat Power, Seu Jorge (the sir who covers Bowie tunes in Portuguese in The Life Aquatic), Dungen (who were amazing in an abridged set when I saw them previously."), Gomez (a long time favorite), and Andrew Bird. Besides other obvious choices like Radiohead who I pretty flew to Coachella in 2004 just to see perform.

It's all very enticing. They've even decreased the number of tickets to be sold to prevent overcrowding. Herb Alert of The Vandelles wonders if "there will be a separate camping ground for the hippies?" It's a valid point. The juxtaposition is almost enough to sell anyone to make the trek. Personally, I'm on the fence but leaning against it because of the impending ticket price, somewhere between $150-$250 plus camping fees, the travel and the intense heat that seems to torture festival attendees.

Besides these facts, I've seen almost every band on this list that I'd want to see. But there are three acts trying to push me on the other side of that fence: Blues Traveler, G Love ANNNNND the Special Sauce and the truly ageless wonder Bonnie Raitt. Guess Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers weren't available.

Radiohead
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Beck
Elvis Costello & the Imposters
Bonnie Raitt
Death Cab for Cutie
Bright Eyes
Ben Folds
G. Love & Special Sauce
My Morning Jacket
Cat Power
Gomez
Blues Traveler
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks
Dresden Dolls
Son Volt
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Rusted Root
Devendra Banhart Band
Mike Doughty
The Magic Numbers
Seu Jorge
Dungen
Andrew Bird
Steel Train
Devotchka
-this is not a complete list, just the most notable to me.

On the other hand, there is the usually reliable greatness of Coachella which seems absent. Rumors were a Smashing Pumpkins reunion that hasn't materialised to this point. Last year Coachella marked reunions for the real Gang of Four, Bauhaus, plus Nine Inch Nails getting back on the road and many other. But what jam bands are to Bonnaroo, DJs are to Coachella. And to me, they are both pretty wasteful. But to those who are interested,you will be seeing Daft Punk and Paul Oakenfold headline the glow stick tent.

Coachella has a lot of crossovers from Bonnaroo: My Morning Jacket, Cat Power, Clap Your Hands, Devendra, Dungen, The Magic Numbers, Seu Jorge and of course Damian Marley. Sigur Ros is going to be there. Major plus. Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand make up the primary UK contingent. Also a nice plus. There are also some nice secondary bands like Mogwai, Animal Collective, TV on the Radio, Wolf Parade, The Walkmen, The Juan Mclean, Metric and Deerhoof.

These are all excellent arists but look at the "What the Fuck List?" semi-headliners. The Yea Yea Yeas are OK, but when they become this super draw. I heard tickets fro their small club show in NYC were going for like $300. When did this happen? Don't even get me started on Sleater Kinney or the Scissor Sisters. Coheed and Cambria just plain sucks. And Common. What is Common doing there? There is a hip hop tent but another boooooooooo. Ditto for Matisyahu, the king of Hasidic reggae.

And then there are the headliners Depeche Mode and Tool. They are both enjoyable acts but are the weakest headlines in this fest's illustrious history I must say. In 2004, I saw Radiohead The Pixies, The Cure, Flaming Lips, Air, Belle and Sebastian, BRMC, Bright Eyes, and Kraftwerk among others. Those are worthy headliners and secondary bands. Depeche Mode and Tool are overrated and not worth whatever the price tag is going to be.

Besdies all this, for every band you want to see antoher band you want to see is guaranteed to overalp, you will never see more than 60% of the bands you actually want to see. And even if you're committed to see them all, then you'll see ten minuteds of eacha nd miss ten minutes running to another stage. Then get heat stroke. And be tired out halfway through day one and sit under a tent with a 4 dollar bottle of water and a sunburn.

Coachella is also more travel for me personally from the East Coast so it must be that much better to sway me and it always has. It is also in the middle of the Palm Desert which while beautifully is unbelievably hot. My comrade on the last trip had his Alarm Clock freeze at 125 from the heat at 9 AM inside of our tent. Coachella has a better overall lineup in quality terms but Radiohead sways the excellence total over to side of Bonnaroo. Honestly, I probably won't make it to either. I just hope for Coachella goers sake that they have a surprise waiting in the wings at the top of the heap for reputation's sake. And I hope Radiohead makes an East Coast stop for my sake.

Related Links:
Bonnaroo Site
Coachella Site

Chuck Klosterman - First "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs", now Super Bowl XL

2006-02-01T01:38:00.000-05:00

He's written for Spin, and collected esssays but now Chuck Klosterman has entered a different arena. He's blogging for ESPN this week at the Super Bowl and he seems to be having quite a bit of fun.

Here's a few prime clips:

"A few minutes ago, Jerome Bettis was asked this question: "OK, Bus -- let's say the clock is ticking down and the Steelers are ahead. You are about to win the Super Bowl. Tears are running down your face, and the game is almost over. What is going through your mind?" Now, how is this a reasonable query? I'm mean, it's not that easy to describe how you feel when you're actually experiencing life in the present tense; how is Bettis supposed to describe the emotive sensation of a futuristic alternative reality? Does this guy think Bettis is Philip K. Dick? And how does he know Jerome is necessarily going to start weeping (and -- if he does -- wouldn't that suggest Jerome's mental state will be completely self-evident)?"

And here's Mr. Klosterman on athlete's constant discussion of lack of respect:

"I suspect athletes complain about disrespect for the same reason bank-tellers tell you to have a nice day: It just (a.) kills time and (b.) sounds normal, mostly because no one is ever listening. "

Check out the blog here.

I know where I'll be getting my Super Bowl coverage this week.

Have you seen this man?

2006-01-29T17:26:00.000-05:00

Have you seen this man? If you have be very afraid. He is Guts. If you respond to any of his questions, you will never get away. Or get a word in.

He loves the New Jersey Nets, Steel Train, high school sporting events, emotionally torturing his children, mustaches, and long naps outside of 24 hour Laundromats. If you see him, please contact the authorities, then put your head down and run because he is very slow.

R.I.P. Christopher Penn & Reservoir Dogs

2006-01-25T20:04:00.000-05:00

On Monday, I bought a copy of Reservoir Dogs at Best Buy. I had it on VHS but felt the need to get the DVD.

I watched it that evening. It took me back to that first time I saw it in the early 90's. I was 12ish. It was surreal. It was bloody. Curses were flung. It was the film that invigorated music use during films. Who was rocking Stealers Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle With You" before that infamous song? It jumpstarted careers: Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, and that old video clerk Quentin Tarantino.

But the actor who played the glue in this film has now passed. The ultimate sleazy middleman Nice Guy Eddie is gone.

Christopher Penn was first noticed as Kevin Bacon's sidekick in Footloose and will probably be recognized more often as Sean Penn's huskier brother but Mr. Penn had some excellent performances himself. He just lurked in the backdrop more often then not.

He didn't go down to Katrina, gun in hand, and help people in a rusty boat that eventually sank. He may never have been nominated for multitudes of Oscars but he was the glue of one of my personal favorite films and seemed like a nice enough guy.

Two little Reservoir tidbits from IMDB:

Tarantino originally wrote the role of Mr. Pink(played by Steve Buscemi) for himself.
The word fuck is used 252 times.

And to quote one of those uses by Mr. Penn: "Okay, first things fuckin' last! "

Christopher Penn was 40 years old.

The Commitments - Best Irish Film Ever?

2006-01-25T13:20:00.000-05:00

Saw The Commitments last night for the first time. People have raved about this movie to me for years. It's a nice film, pretty funny. But's more That Thing You Do! than Trainspotting - Director's Cut (Collector's Edition).

It's not even the best Irish movie I've seen this year. That honor goes to Bloody Sunday, the gritty drama that retells the horrific historical event that U2 sang about and still does. Alot. (It is their best song after all). The film is intense, gut-wrenching and moving, much in opposition ot the song. Do yourself a favor and rent or buy Bloody Sunday ASAP. You won't be disappointed.

The film does lumber a bit but perfectly portrays the two sides of the battle and builds up to the pentultimate moment of tragedy.

Paul Thomas Anderson's Next Project & The Latest Unbelievable Beatles-related Auction

2006-01-18T23:09:00.000-05:00

Paul Thomas Anderson, director of Boogie Nights & Magnolia, has chosen a follow up to the awkward brilliance of Punch Drunk Love.

According to Reuters: "Daniel Day-Lewis is set to play a pioneering Texas oil prospector in "There Will Be Blood," a sprawling period piece that filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson has spent several years writing...loosely based on Upton Sinclair's 1927 novel 'Oil!' "

With a $25 million budget, Daniel Day Lewis on board and Paul Thomas Anderson's genius, the Syrianna of 2006 is now in pre-production. I wouldn't wait in line for Star Wars but I might wait in a small line for this one. Someplace where it's warm since this movie has a Dec. 25, limited rollout, Oscar bait all over it.

I have to say, I'm biased I did spend 24 hours straight taking notes on Magnolia, watching it 8 times in a row.

You have $2 million extra dollars laying around because my birthday is coming up in a month and I know what I want.

Lookie here. According to the BBC:"John Lennon's original draft of lyrics to the groundbreaking Beatles song A Day in the Life has gone on sale... The manuscript, being sold in New York in a sealed-bid auction ending 7 March, is expected to fetch about $2m (£1.13m), auction house Bonhams said."

Oh and if you are looking for an xbox, tommorrow is a big day. You might wanna check out
the Xbox Locator.

Full Articles:
Daniel Day-Lewis puts 'Blood' on track
Lennon original lyrics for sale

Yo La Tengo @ Maxwell's The 8th night of Chauncey

2006-01-04T00:27:00.000-05:00

I've taken a very extended holiday/work/exhaustion break. I don't know why I worry about this. I'm pretty sure there are about 2 monthly readers. To you 2, I thank you! You're very dedicated. Without you, I'm nothing. Jan 1. It is New Year's Day but more importantly the 8th Night and final night of the Festival of Lights. I had heard many, many times about the 8 Nights of Hanukkah when Yo La Tengo takes residence in Maxwell's, a popular rock club in their hometown of Hoboken NJ. I always seem to forget about it but thanks to my pal Herb, it was not going to happen this year.

Opener Lois came on songbird style, proudly from Olympia WA, making nervous banter between pleasant songs about offering to sell off Chris Stamey's guitar or pissing off Luna in previous opening spots. The highlight was an acapella version of The Zombies' "The Way I Feel Inside." A nice, quaint appetizer for the evening.

Each night of the fest features an opener, a comedian, and then Yo La Tengo trying to cover every track from their back catalog along with a wealth of covers and other of goods. The comedy act for the night was Fruit Boots, who were referred to multiple times as "NYC's premiere rollerblading duo." Fruit Boots were funnier than you can possibly imagine with their supposed origins at a trick convention in Central Park, to their group of ridiculously funny "trick packs," think a duo doing trick's like The Dude's landlord Marty's performance dance cycle in The Big Lebowski. This after they skate on stage with a bag of grapes and ask the crowd, "Who wants a grape?" and throwing out grape's one by one to the crowd. Hysterical.

After Fruit Boots, Yo La Tengo's frontman Ira Kaplan said they had a "surprise" guest they met at the Roskilde Festival in Germany. The group was called "Matter of Trust."

Well, they proceeded to play a hilarious, extended version of a track called Matter of Trust," a vaguely familiar track that was previously recorded by a famous Jew named Billy Joel. The band was actually made of a bunch of comedians. According to Yo La Tengo's blog it was: "Todd Barry on drums, Jon Glaser on bass, Tom Shilue on backup vocals, James (of Yo La Tengo on guitar, and Jon Benjamin on lead vocals. "

Jon Benjamin just stole the showing playing and singing in a German accent, getting fully enthused to a punkish level by the end with screams "Just a matter of Motherfucking trust." Wow. All this and Yo La Tengo didn't even get on stage in full force yet.

I have to admit my somewhat limited knowledge of the lengthy Yo La Tengo catalog, but it didn't matter. My primary knowledge is I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One" The set was perfectly created peaks and valleys of sound, pure energy from the band as they swapped instruments and being spolighted as the vocal leads. Ira and James started with a duet version of Madonna's "Holiday," a version I'd rather hear 100 times over before I ever hear Madonna again. They followed that up with Gary U.S. Bonds's "Seven Day Weekend," which was adapted to "Eight Day Weekend." They really took this holiday theme to heart.

The set was filled with rarities as they called it. The one thing the avant didn't do was talk. They just piled on the sonic orgasmization. Some soft tracks, some blaringly loud, and I was happiest with a magnificently serene version of "Autumn Sweater." There were lengthy instrumental, quick punky numbers, graceful Nico like works sang by drummer Georgia Hubley. They closed the set with the the obligatory cover of the Beatles "Eight Days a Week."

Some more surprises came during the encore, including a couple tracks sang by Lois backed by the band and the reprise version of "A Matter of Trust" by those crazy Germans. I wish I knew some more track titles, but I don't.

This show had the most unique feel; it was so friendly and communal while brilliant and awe inspiring. I thank the band for putting so much work into this performance. It truly shows. And if you can get to the set of shows, I highly recommend it. A truly great way to ring in the 06.

Pictures and some data from:
Yo La Tengo Hanukkah Show Blog

Nine Inch Nails in Ill Philly

2005-11-10T01:16:00.000-05:00

The expectations for this show were moderate. It was in an arena ( The Spectrum) but the bands that filled the bill were top quality.

First Death From Above 1979 came on destroyed and performed the bet set I've ever seen for an arena opener. I love You're A Woman, I'm A Machine but the intensity of these two men rocking their bass and drum respectively was beyond belief.

Queens of The Stone Age then did the same. The crowd was into it and Josh Homme and his gang responded.

Nine Inch Nails arrived without too much of a wait. They played some oldies ("Head Like A Hole" "Terrible Lie" "Closer" and a somber intimate version of "Hurt") and some newer ("Hand That Feeds" and some of the better tracks off With Teeth) worked in to perfection. There are the lighters flying the sky, the sing alongs and even a mosh pit, something I hadn't seen in quite a while.

The security guards stayed calm and let the show flow. They didn't interrupt and overwhelm the crowd with their presence. The best arena show in my recent memory. I'd have to go back to Rage Against The Machine, Beastie Boys and Black Star at the Free Mumia Abu Jamal rally (weird situation to say the least).

Can't wait to see NIN again.

An Interesting History of Violence

2005-10-09T19:47:00.000-04:00

A History of Violence

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Maria Bello
Written By: Josh Olson
Based on a Graphic Novel: John Wagner and Vince Locke
Directed By: David Cronenberg
4.5 out of 5

Some movies blow the doors off, and some slowly open them crack by crack, allowing you to unravel the mystery piece by piece. A History of Violence would be somewhere in the middle, constantly opening and shutting the door, whetting the audience’s appetite with intrigue.

At first glimpse and first impression from the title A History of Violence seems destined for the latest horror film with a few name actors on the marquee. Then you look below those names and see Canadian director David Cronenberg that something a bit off kilter will be exhibited and front of you.

David Cronenberg perfectly meshes periods of subtlety with juts of gruesomeness and primal sexual scenes. There is an eerie ambiance in almost every scene, an expectation of a blowup which heighten the mood of the entire film. A type of tenseness that leads up to a let down in most films but Cronenberg perfectly capitalizes on these little moments.

In the opening sequence, a father and son are at a motel joking with each other. The audience can sense an undercurrent of evil. The scene is shot in one long extended take following a father and son driving in a parking lot, allowing the intro to rll along into a momentous little halt. These characters have their scene, disappear from the film, and then perfectly segway back into the film at the perfect time, similar to the Josh Hartnett opening segment in Sin City.

A History of Violence has the temperament and sensibility of the great recent American Midwest crime films like Fargo and A Simple Plan minus the kidnapping, perfect for those with a semi-sadistic sense of humor. Someone that laughs when watching Steve Buscemi yell at Peter Stormare with his mouth bleeding from a bullet wound in Fargo. The subplots, instead of boring time fillers, have intricacy and meaning, especially the significantly subplot of Viggo’s son in the film who tried to defer the advances of a bully. A History of Violence has perfect character introductions, influxes of new elements are revealed with precision and skillfulness, more than in any other film in recent memory.

Fantastic performances fill each piece of celluloid from a shrouded Viggo Mortensen who fills his difficult role flawlessly to an Oscar worthy turn by Ed Harris in a supporting role as a gangster looking for revenge. It was nice to see Viggo be eerie again and leave the Lord of the Rings behind. This film is the absolute opposite of that film trilogy, non-extravagant and huge. It’s raw, visceral, and mind-rattling. Maria Bello continues her reign as queen of meaty indie roles that involve her to get naked and showcase her true acting chops like The Cooler and Auto Focus. She has magnificent presence while being in a somewhat sedated state. It’s her doe eyes and that sincerity that seems to follow her in every role she plays.

Screenwriter Josh Olson doesn’t have any noteworthy films to his credit but deserves some credit giving David Cronenberg an adept, understated dialogue to work with, allowing him to roam in the realms of more and more extreme close-ups that showcase the flaws in people. There seems to be a minimal amount of brush up on the actors and it adds to the film’s overall feeling of authenticity.

Looking further into the roots of this movie as a graphic novel, some interesting data was discovered. First off, this is the only graphic novel ever produced by John Wagner who is a longtime comic veteran that is best known for creating Judge Dredd. That’s a head shaker. The only parallel with that film is the creation of a different sense of justice in life.

A History of Violence showcases a cycle of life that seems to be a parallel universe but is placed right in our midst. It strikes a chord regarding the possibility of rehabilitation in life and what really happens to people who try to change their lives. And sadly, you don’t see Stallone in spandex fighting with his evil brother Rico, and saying “I am above the law.” The film is indeterminate and confusing, and in this mild temperament that leads to viewer frustration for some and payoff absolute brilliance of others. The fall film season has truly been ushered in with A History of Violence.

Arcade Fire, David Bowie,and The (International) Noise Conspiracy

2005-09-28T22:11:00.000-04:00

I really wish I had some skill with my picture taking. Here's my visual record of a few shows. Arcade Fire and Bowie aat Central Park, International Noise Conspiracy at Hiro Ballroom. review coming eventually...

and here's my attempt at some type of picture manipulation...

joe's little mini mix -Vol #1

2005-09-26T21:40:00.000-04:00

Here's a new little feature. a new mix of songs worth giving a look.

Wolf Parade "Modern World" -Bowie meets Modest Mouse from everyone's next favorite "it" band.

Man Man 'Zebra" - Unquenchable crazy surrealist music at its best. I love Man Man.

Broken Social Scene "Superconnected" and "Ibi Dreams of Pavement" - Two choice cuts from this Canadian Collective's upcoming masterwork

Metric "Monster Hospital" - The latest great rock dance song.
I fought the War, but the War won!!

Arcade Fire - "Haiti" - one of an album full of goodies.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah "Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away" - David Byrne and Jeff Magnum lovechild sings over perfect percussion.

so trendy these artists are but there is a reason. they're fucking good.

ESPN's New Star

2005-09-26T21:31:00.000-04:00

Has anyone else noticed ESPN's new favorite son Stephen A. Smith's career increased in popularity around the same time he started to act like Dave Chappelle playing Samuel L. Jackson on his show? He's loud with catchphrases and hosts a self-centric sports show where he is over-opinionated and depleted of knowledge on most sports outside Basketball?

Mr. A Smith has about 10 guests every hour on "Quite Frankly" because if you had to listen to him answer questions from the audience like he does on the radio, it would showcase how over-the-top and non-analytical his sports knowledge really is? And he has a radio show? Who decided this guy needs like 4 hours a day to overvalue his opinion and talk like Samuel L. Jackson?

Quite frankly, he needs to get some knowledge about football and stop making momentary judgements on the spot that are be all and end all because that is not how sports truly are. Otherwise, he's decent.

Haven't You Seen My Movies???

just a thought.

The Inventive Ass Kicking of Transporter 2?

2005-09-12T00:49:00.000-04:00

A sequel to a passable action movie topped last weekend's box office. Usually, it's like 2 Fast 2 Furious or Barbershop 2 that seem to top the grosses for the week and then disappear. But the mild popularity of this movie made me wonder why a sequel could and should be created.

I attributed to it Luc Besson, somewhat of France's Spielberg, and one of the only filmmakers of that country to be able to make movies that can make a bit of cash over here in the US (see The Fifth Element, The Professional etc) But he only wrote this movie. This film doesn't lean on that dialogue too much.

Is this movie really good? On the level of action sequences that completely defy any reason or logic and don't need the bad one-liners after the stuntman finishes his job, this movie is a wild success. Jason Statham entertains me. Since first seeing him in Lock, Stock..., his Brit charm has enchanted viewers in his minute roles here and there. He's James Bond with a fullback's body, and a raspy voice. His facial expression just seem so true.

You could almost see Statham being the man uber-secret dedicated man he plays. As he tells a woman in the movie, he's a driver, but he's "not that kind of driver..." but he doesn't explain anything. His quick asskicking moves shine through and pretty much never stop. The plot is ludicrous virus crap. There is the obligatory hot chick with guns. yet it doesn't deter from the film.

This is a long way of seeing if you don't mind watching car's fly 200 feet mid air and run through a wall without a scratch on it, or seeing a car flip upside down in order to knock off a car bomb before it detonates, you might want to go check out The Transporter 2.

Gilliam's Grimm Reality

2005-09-05T02:21:00.000-04:00

Terry Gilliam has earned a place in a pantheon of the greatest directors of the past 2 decades. If you don't know who Gilliam is, think Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, 12 Monkeys, as well as a major driving force in Monty Python.

The man delves into projects and puts his immense creative juice into every visual moment of every film he makes but it doesn't seem to be enough of recent. His previous project, one of his many dream projects, was the story of Don Quixote. The chaos that occurred in trying to make this film was documented in the brilliant documentary Lost in La Mancha.

Rumblings of run-ins with the Weinstein Bothers over decisions involving major parts of The Brothers Grimm. Whatever it is, something was missing in this film. Gilliam's genius was not enough to bring this film to the Echelon of quality films. Matt Damon and Heath Ledger turn in mediocre performances. Ledger does his best Johnny Depp shaky crazy man imitation but its too no avail. The story is not bad. The main female role is an attempt at a strong female character that fails due a lack of acting skill on the young woman's part.

Gilliam can be blamed for trying a little too much visual wizardry. He attempts to fill every moment with eye candy. It seems to making up for a lacking of "it." The Brothers Grimm is missing it. Gilliam is at his best when he has all the tools just like any director. After years of trying to get other dream projects fulfilled, this is what we sadly end up paying for. The true Hollywood joke is that great films aren't coming out because the greatest directors need the full control to toy with. They need money and little else, but this isn't how the major studios like it anymore. It has bit them in the ass too often when they give it to the wrong people.

Imagine that Gilliam's next film was supposed to be a film starring Johnny Depp and Robin Williams. It's on hold because even though Gilliam has found a large percentage of the budget in Europe, where a man of his talent and ilk are fully appreciated. Here in America, they can't scrounged up the rest of the budget between $10 and $20 million dollars. It's a money decision. Sometimes, people need to be whipped into shape. With ticket sales way down across the board at the theatres whether its DVD's or their own undoing by releasing the films onto DVD about 10 days after they are in theatres, these studios will learn they have to take a little more chances.

Cut down on the useless attempts to cash in Lindsey Lohan Herbie remakes, shitty horror films with the same fucking previews, and bad sequels to those horror films. The phrase is "lightning in a bottle" for a reason. Give the true artists in film a few chances. I know a hundred people that would line up for the next Gilliam movie even though Grimm was wrought with problems yet I don't know one person who saw The Honeymooners travesty starring Cedric The Entertainer. Message to the studios: Nurture the skilled people, and the viewers will rebuild their relationships with you. So even with Brothers Grimm as a critical failure, it's making a bit of money.

Gilliam will be back. He's just waiting for someone to believe in him again. Until them, I'm off to watch 12 Monkeys again.

Quick Weekend Film Release Summary

2005-08-31T01:01:00.000-04:00

the doldrums of August are here again and the studios have done something unimaginable, and it's not cancel all the shitty movies they usually release. they released two new quality films.

i was weary of 40 Year Old Virgin, but my fears were quashed within 10 minutes of the film's opening. within 30 minutes, i was cracking up every time there was a close up of Steve Carrell's face. this was the kind of lose-your-5-dollar-cup-of soda-through-your-nose laughter i hadn't had since Carrell's break out role in Anchorman, or the first time i saw American Pie.

the movie was also sincere and genuine while still providing unbelievable laughs. this is the late 70s, early 80s Chevy Chase/ Bill Murray type screwball comedy that will stand the test of time. super recko'ed.

Red Eye suppressions good film. cillian murphy has an unbelievable screen presence in his attempt to revive life into Wes Craven's failing career. Rachel McAdams isn't half bad as the tortured woman to Cillian's conniving blackmailer. the tense moments are high strung and perfectly relieved with unexpected moments of comedy, and i'm pretty sure it's on purpose. kinda recko'ed.

saw Broken Flowers too. Bill Murray is truly an american treasure. director Jim Jarmusch's makes his most poignant and inviting movie to date but i think i prefer Dead Man with Johnny Depp, as well as the quirky hitman film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai with Forrest Whitaker as a buddhist black hitman who only communicates through a messenger pigeon. jarmusch's distinct filmmaking style perfectly utilizes moments of silence to the film's advantage. Even the sometimes awkward but also fantastic Down By Law with a young Roberto Begnini and Tom Waits is deserving a look.

Mondays With Sufjan

2005-08-25T01:25:00.000-04:00

I was lucky enough to attend the fourth of a five night residency latest uber-hyped Sufjan Stevens. Mr. Stevens deserves the hype. His latest musical endeavors have been pretty much infallible starting with Michigan to the release of Seven Swans to his most recent release the second album in his attempt to blow though all 50 States, Illinois. The state was

Stevens and his Illionise Makers had the audience eating out of their hands with their 5 night pep rally, complete with matching outfits and humorous cheers that led into many of the songs. Illinois was pretty much completely worn out musically, as all of the tracks they played from their main set came from the gem.

After a rapturous applause, the very appreciative and sincere Stevens brought his band back out for one more song in different matching outfits to play the beautiful opener of Seven Swans. It was sad to see the extreme focus on Illinois at the expense of his work but after seeing this amazingly entertaining performance. If you can catch Sufjan on the road, it would be highly recommended.

Natasha Lyonne

2005-08-22T22:14:00.000-04:00

You might know her from her standout performance in The Slums of Beverly Hills, one of the best pure retro comedies in recent memory. That and a bunch of interesting indie roles such as in the film But I'm A Cheerleader as well as American Pie.

Well, on the set of another overloked piece of excellence Tim Blake Nelson's holocaust drama The Grey Zone costarring Steve Buscemi in Bulgaria, she picked up Hepatits C, possibly from sharing needles. She's a recovering heroin addict and now she's fighting for her life in the hospital.

All the best to her and her family.

Dukes of Hazzard Diatribe

2005-08-12T00:58:00.000-04:00

10 FUCKING DOLLARS!!! For that piece of shite and bunch of cockteases. Are you kidding me? I'm too frustrated to speak. Don't tell you knew it was gonna suck but there's no one could know it was gonna be that bad. Johnny Knoxville needs acting lessons. Even more than Seann William Scott. Maybe they can take them from Willie Nelson. He needs money. That' it. I quit on movies in theaters.

What was up with the 5 dollars for pretzel bites with cheese. At least fill the fucking tray teenage pimple popper with black vest and pins from every bad movie to be released in the next month. Ahhhh! Damn it!

I Knew It: The Coldplay Experience

2005-08-12T00:45:00.000-04:00

Tonight, I saw Coldplay at Camden Tweeter Center. This wasn't one of the most anticipated concerts in recent memory. Low expectations can usually yield a more enjoyable experience. Not on that night

The band was tight musically but so was the length of their set. A lawn seat, which is basically watching the show on a screen and paying for the privilege of the live experienced, cost about $40 bucks face value.

If this is the next U2, I don't know what to say. This performance overall ranks with some of my most underwhelming shows I've ever seen. Chris Martin did his Indian rain dance like moves all around the stage with flashy, expensive light show and an even more expensive vivid digital video display system behind them.

The high points were enjoyable but it was sad to see the emphasis on the latest subpar X&Y, which sounds like a 12 track U2 cover disc. A nice stretch in the middle featured at least 3 of these tracks which is when I decided to sit down as the crowds of Hollister lovers and drunken Dave Matthews fans with guitar shaped beer jugs swayed as if they were at the latest incarnation of Phish. The poignant "Everything's Not Lost" was dedicated to the tailgaters, something Martin didn't know existed until 2 days prior. Why would you even dedicate something to tailgaters, they are too drunk to have made it inside? Martin went to add cheesy localized adaptations of the songs lyrics to fit into Camden/ Philadelphia mentality, off course mentioning hoagies but intriguingly leaving out the infamous Cheesesteak. Maybe his publicist told him to avoid the Pat's vs. Geno's battle.

"God Put a Smile on Your Face" was a nice relief from this mess. But the worst, yet most humorous, moment occurred during the song Martin stated was "the song that first brought them to Camden." Camden is an ultimate shithole. The path of streets you must take off the highway is lined with film like ghetto streets of garbage and gangbangers on porches while wealthy white people go to see their favorite overpriced band in the middle of this wreckage. It's an intriguing bipolarity.

Anyway, back to the gag moment of the night, and I don't mean joke, was when I peered above the seated crowd to see balloons lined up along the catwalk... and they were all yellow. I jokingly thought that the band would drop them during an encore of yellow which would be sad but slightly enjoyable. After mentioning it to my friends who sat with me, they somewhat agreed it might occur but also hoped it was not so.

5 songs in to the set it happened. Chris makes his Camden remark, the poignant "Yellow" begins and as martin says look at the stars, the balloons drop as did my entire hope for the concert. This is a moment that will persist over any other when reflecting back onto this show from my rocking chair in 40 some odd years.

Pile on top of that possibly the worst encore for a supposed major band in history. A destroyed version of "In My Place" was surrounded by two whatever level tracks off X&Y. A superband with an awful 3 song encore. Are you kidding me?? You must leave the mouth water, not with the bad taste.

Tracks that were MIA from the setlist included Parachutes' "Trouble," "Shiver," "Spiderwebs" plus "A Rush of Blood to The Head," "Daylight." This just proves the problems with tours. The point is to sell the new stuff which of course will come at some detriment to the older tracks but it should also to equate to a lengthier set.

It was a sad night in Camden. The night minimal Coldplay's artistic integrity disappeared. Still from time to time, Parachutes will make itself onto portable music whatever. The flashback will come. The dropping yellow balloons, not the excellent show that they played at Jones Beach just their previous major US tour. It's too bad. Another one bites the dust. Look what they've done. They've made me cheesy too. FUCK!

NOTE: New music review of mine up at Ambitious-Outsiders. Put up a comment or something so I know someone read it. Please!!!

14 Things You Can Learn From Seeing The Island

2005-07-31T16:06:00.000-04:00

1. Ewan Mcgregor needs a long term Sci-fi film break after 3 bad Star Wars and this hunk of junk. Trash batting Average = .1000
2. To do a proper action movie, you need a mumble jumble African soundtrack.
3. Director Michael Bay loves toys and sunlight.
4. Scarlett is hotter than I thought, if only there was a proper nude scene. Screw PG-13. Those lips, uhhhhhhhh.
5. If two characters are running for their lives all they can say is "Run" and "C'mon" in their tight white suits.
6. Steve Buscemi always has an awesome death.
7. Blow everything up.
8. If Scarlett is running for half your movie, there needs to be more boob close up/slo-mo shots.
9. Sunlight is the key to all elements of drama
10. No shot can exceed 8 seconds, unless it is the 360 spinny shot.
11. Scarlett and Ewan Gamma Delta whatever-their-names are invincible and can not be hit by hots as long as they are running.
12. Even in the future, Steve Buscemi can never have a clone or be rich.
13. No one can pack more ads into a two hour movie than Bay.
14. Run... C'mon.

Gambling

2005-07-31T00:43:00.000-04:00

it takes up time and burns you in a pursuit of the easy buck while burning your time. I should be writing or attending a show or going to park. instead, I spend 3 hours watching horses run in circles. But I enjoy it...

Guts Sighting - Phillies Game

2005-07-26T02:16:00.000-04:00

I went to a Phillies game to see my beloved Padres be trounced and Guts reappeared. He's like Waldo... Who is this Guts character? He kind of scares me, but not as much as people from Phillies. And how can a man who likes the Phillies like the Atlanta Falcons, rival of Philly's prized team, the Eagles? This man is an anomaly.

That's a really expensive ad.

The Padres have lost 7 straight. I am beside myself. I can't work or even eat Ranch Sunflower Seeds, the world's greatest snack food. How can you lose 7 straight to the Mets and the Phillies. Please Padres. Take this day off and end this slide, or I will die. Thanks

M. Ward @ Castle Clinton

2005-07-22T04:00:00.000-04:00

Took about 150 pictures tonight and this is the only one you can kind of see Ward's face.

M. Ward played what could be called 3 mini sets with a couple of encores, all for free in the pleasant Castle Clinton venue. All for free.

Ward is a husky throated 20-something with a vintage quality that sings like he's gone through 65 years of 2 pack a day smoking. An extended version of 2005's Transistor Radio instrumental opener "You Still Believe in Me" commences the showcasing Ward's trademark ringing guitar riffs along with his back up guitarist, a few minutes later the bassist and drummer landed on stage to flesh out the sound. Ward kept with the Transistor theme with the slowed down, "Swethearts on Parade," "Paul's Song," and "Fuel For Fire."

Ward then shifted to piano taking on everybody's favorite simplistic yet rousing "Big Boat" and a beautiful rendition of "Vincent O' Brien" from Ward's outstanding 2004 release Transfiguration of Vincent.

The rest of band left the stage, and left Ward to return to his extraordinary arm extension (some might call it a guitar) alone on stage serenading new ears daily with a sound unlike any other they have ever really heard, the way he has been most of his career. He showed off the stripped down with a few tracks including "I'll be Yr Bird."

The backing band returned for a few more tracks including Transistor's haunting gem, the insomnia tale "Four Hours in Washington." "Four" commences with slow ringing guitars that build into the patented M. Ward aggressive strumming, which is eerily reminiscent of an the saddest omission in the setlist "Sad, Sad Song." Still, the crowd was excited to hear it.

Two encores included a segway into a cover of Creedence's "Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog" or whatever that song is called. Yo know what I'm talking about

This crowd including Mr. Conor Oberst who I happened to snag a picture with in my unkempt condition. At least, the lady whose gray hair ruined all of my pictures wasn't in the way. Free shows bring out a lot of useless people.

Conor looked real happy to bothered but he was cordial in small conversation. He did smile in a pic with my pal businessman Dave though.

M. Ward will be at Maxwell's in Hoboken tomorrow. I suggest checking it out. Castle Clinton was pleasant venue perfect for the acoustic singer/songwriter breed that populate it's upcoming shows. Too bad Calexico was up against Dino Jr. and Broken Social Scene last week.

Siren Fest - Coney Island

2005-07-17T16:59:00.000-04:00

It was quite a day at Coney Island on Saturday. Unlike the past few years it was not deathly not but the humidity was disgusting. Still, it was a perfect day for some rock as the rain stayed away and this amazing free fest came to play as they say.

Be Your Own Pet's Lead Cutie Explodes with Youthful Yea Yea Yeas Style

Be Your Own Pet - As we arrived a little young blond girl and a bunch of middle teens were hopping around on stage like a mini version of the Yea Yea Yeas. Only saw 2 or 3 songs but people were begging for more. Their response... "We don't have anymore songs." no band should ever say that. There is always something and what the crowd wants, within reason, they usually get.

Dungen's Lead Man Does his best Jimmy Page

Dungen - Swiss psych rock throwback, pronounced Doon-Yon with style panache and virtuoso musical skill and a classic lead singer to boot. Look for their double disc release in August. Quite a show, think a rocking, more personal Sigur Ros with Darkness-style. Very sweet. Only one member could speak English and he was pretty humrous in his Broken English telling the crowd, "It was nice playing for you. There are more people in this crowd then live in our country."

Q and Not U

I wasn't much a fan of Q and Not U but this show was impressive. This energetic DC trio put in quite a performance. Too bad they are breaking up after a few more shows.

Spoon's Lead Singer Britt Daniels

Spoon - Siren didn't have the major names this year. They lost a lot to Pitchfork's Intonation but the bands they got were quality for the most part. The crowd was all waiting for spoon, you could tell. Britt Daniels just conquered the crowd and rock them all the way through highlighting tracks off their latest critical darling release Gimme Fiction, a superb disc with Kill The Moonlight favs like "Jonathan Fisk" and "The Way We Get By."

Now to the negative. Brendan Benson was the second to last performer on the main stage. He, his band, and his songs were stagnant. I remember hearing his old album Lapalco before it was re-recorded it was coy and fun like Ben Kweller. Now he's trying to hand. Alternative to Love is like a Maroon 5 copycat album. No one should be copying that crapfest.

Also saw about 5 minutes of Morningwood. Boring. They had a lot of energy but they should put it into their songwriting.

Related Links
Siren Festival
BrooklynVegan - Siren Fest Review and pics

I saw Wilco a few weeks back

2005-07-15T02:06:00.000-04:00

Jim James of My Morning Jacket doing his best Tenacious D JB face.

There's Jeff Tweedy of Wilco.

Reviews coming soon...

This week I also saw Tweedy's ex Uncle Tupelo bandmate Jay Farrar with his band Son Volt. Nice show but let's just say there's a reason why these pictures are up and there's no rush on the Farrar.

Check Out Thrasher's collection of rave reviews of this show

Tonight I saw another old time band but this time together and reconciled in grunge pioneers Dinosaur Jr. along with the amazing 12 member Broken Social Scene, and radio 4 all in central park. Full review will be up later, but Broken Social Scene was engaging and amazing. Dino then came in and blew out the ear drums of a new generation.

Till another day...

This is Guts. What else can I say?

2005-07-15T01:44:00.000-04:00

The Real All-Star Game

2005-07-11T23:55:00.000-04:00

Some people think the All-Star Game is on Tuesday. I am a big baseball fan and on Tuesday I will be in the Bowery ballroom seeing Son Volt (thanks to winning New York's Q104.3). Even if I wasn't going to the show, I would not be watching that overbearing boring love fest where 70 players play a couple innings in a game that now stupidly decides which League will have home field advantage in the World Series. "This one counts" is the phrase Fox uses. Well it doesn't count. What counts is the Home Run Derby!!

In post-Steriod ridden baseball, there are new collection of real ball players not including freaks of nature like Bonds, Sosa, and McGwire whosadly were the bearersof baseball's torch for the past 5 years or so. But MLB figured out a way to stupefy the viewers again. In an attempt to promote the World Cup of Baseball to be played next March. Each country was given a representative. What this did was allow players like Jason Bay and Hee-Sop Choi a chance to embarrass themselves. Jason Bay, the great Pittsburgh Pirates star, got ten outs before one home run.

Sum 41 - ESPN's Derby Coverage

The American rep was of course from the Texas Rangers, he team of the Bush family. Like the fans, Texeira was a waste and a bust.

But Jeter is not in the all-star game and that's all that matters... Here's to the Yanks not making the playoffs.

Creepy Isn't It? - The Woodsman - Airo's DVD Pick of The Week

2005-07-07T05:33:00.000-04:00

For the first of my weekly attempts at keeping you at home and away from the overpriced theatres, I'll attempt to spotlight a worthwhile DVD to rent or purchase. Personally, I'm a Netflixer.

What is Kevin Bacon doing with that kickball in his hands?

From the poster, The Woodsman may appear to be the latest horror film with a star-studded cast. The basic plotline of a criminal trying to return to normalcy after getting out of prison. The Woodsman's twist is Kevin Bacon playing a simultaneously disturbed and sympathetic serial pedophile. This film is definitely meant as light, family fare.

Kevin Bacon takes on a role like he never has before as Walter. He delves into this role of a truly tortured soul colliding with his inner demons. Mos Def plays the lurking cop who is keeping his eyes on Bacon. Def is by far the best rapper/ actor around, which has been continually proven with his roles in Buffalo Soldiers (a comedy about Army Drug Dealers during Gulf War that was supposed to be released on Sept. 11, 2001) as well as the highly underappreciated Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He has the range to go from funny to creepy without flinching, and his albums aren't too shabby either. Gotta love Black Star.

I don't want to reveal much more of the plot, but suffice to say this film just doesn't fuck around. It's tightly packed with moments of squeamish intensity and anguish by rookie writer-director Nicole Kassell. It's nice to see some actors go out on a limb and try something thought-provoking, realistic with an onslaught of intensity. Kyra Sedgewick (Bacon's wife)plays the sympathetic but hardnosed love interest. The Woodsman is full of revelations like Bacon and Sedgwick who combine for about 5 good performances (none of which are Sedgewick's.) The Woodsman is a lost gem for those unflinchables out there, waiting on the shelves of local video stores for people who have a true appreciation for film as an art form.

Independence

2005-07-05T03:34:00.000-04:00

The Beginning...

July 4 has just ended. I have just decided to start up a bloc. Everyone else is doing it so why can't I? Even better than the rest. I know I'm late in the game but I have things to say that someone will probably read.

After attending my second fireworks in 4 nights, I had a nice feeling in my head, one of a large communal niceness. It's almost a once a year occurrence. Families sit around with other families between other families. It's quite nice. But truly what are they to watch?

Fireworks are overpriced colored explosions. It's something basically frowned upon the rest of the year outside sporting events. On the day of America's birth, the colors mostly resemble the colors of the flag. But I noticed to other colors that were also primarily used, fit within the true American ideal. Not a communal gathering of family in lounging clothes, but the true colors of America. Green and Gold. The colors of money. Black also fits in there (oil) but black fireworks would not be too visually exciting while being set off in the dark sky.

The weather couldn't have been better. People were buzzing. It's amazing what a day off can do to people. But tomorrow these people will return to their green, gold and black jobs. They will attempt to achieve happiness for those families through money who are happy just sitting around watching a town sponsored exploding show. What does this say about the public?

Money is important, a shunned necessity. Everyone can attempt to be compassionate to a point but on this Independence day we should all take a look at what we a reworking for and what we have. Not on Thanksgiving, a holiday celebrating the original takeover of America from its natives, but Independence day, when Since we wee already here we might as well separate ourselves from the others. We united, not for greed or money but country. It's a day of fighting off colonialism in this time that our president is promoting it. The green and the gold are the motives for what is happening in our world and of course the black but it would be nice if for more than one day a year, we could bask in the lives we have here under the red white in blue.

Note to the committee in charge of the Fireworks in Paramus, NJ: Unbelievable show and a great atmosphere but cut out the Bon Jovi live and Billy Joel music blaring over the loud speakers as if we were sitting in a bad 1980's video.

Sports...

Yesterday was a great day. Derek Jeter was left off the All-Star team. For once New York bias, and overhyped winners were quashed. The Yankees are currently being what they are, an average team. He can still make it in this stupid online vote for the last roster spot against more deserving players like Hideki Matsui, Torri Hunter, and Carl Crawford. Hopefully, the better players will prevail and Jeter can work on his tightrope falling over the plate act at home while watching A-Rod and Mariano play as real All-Stars.

Today, of course, the Yankees had to kill my glee with a huge offensive explosion off the very talented B.J. Ryan, closer of the Baltimore Orioles. Roid-head $20 million dollar DH Jason Giambi had two homeruns. No one really wants to see this guy heat up and I don't think he will. This was just a blip on the radar.

More importantly, I have a message for you Mark Sweeney. You are a journeyman utility player. When the best player on your team is up with one out and your on third base in a tied ballgame against an excellent pitcher like Roy Oswalt, you CAN NOT get picked off. While are you even leading, get ready to tag. Please be a utility and a negative. I appreciate your attempt to make sure you score but if you get picked off again, I will have a seizure. The Padres can't afford mistakes. This is our year. Maybe, but let's make the playoffs at least, and G-d curse the Yankees forever and ever. Shall they never make the playoffs as long as Derek Jeter lives.