Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
Cheadle is mesmerizing in his seemingly-effortless trading of cinematic duties for this thrilling tale. If there is only one thing that you learn about jazz, it’s not the instruments that make it up, nor the time that it was most popular, or even the players that were significant in its creation. That one crucial thing is that jazz … Continue reading “Film Review: Miles Ahead“
In celebration of Black History Month, we are running a series of short articles featuring influential black musicians. His raspy voice, his intense and mercurial personality, and possibly, his personal tumult – all of these made Miles Davis “The Prince of Darkness” in the jazz scene. Davis had enormous influence on the world of … Continue reading “Black History Month Artist Series: Miles Davis”
Marking its closing with its annual awards ceremony, the 2016 Sundance Film Festival ended this past Saturday evening; you can see all the winners here. For the second year in a row, I braved the Park City cold, snow, and the ubiquitous Los Angeles UGG-wearing throngs to bring you spotlights of a fraction of the … Continue reading “Film Feature: 2016 Sundance Film Festival Spotlights #1”
I am amazed by the amount of the amount of dust that I’m still finding in places after Outside Lands this year… Yes, it was good fun, but it’s time to enjoy some music indoors, over concrete. And, well, we’ve got a wonderful week of excellent music on our docket.
Photos and review by: Alan Ralph @ARPhotoSF It seems like every band these days is doing anniversary and album anniversary tours. Maybe the band has been around 10, 25, 50 years? Maybe their most popular album has been around long enough for their fans (or the music press in general) to consider it a classic … Continue reading “Show Review: Cavalera Conspiracy “Beneath / Arise”, Great American Music Hall, 06/17/2022″
What were your favorite films of 2018? There were lots of worthy contenders, and choosing just ten can be challenging, but Spinning Platters Film Editor Carrie Kahn has given it a go. Below Carrie shares her ten favorite films of 2018, presented in descending rank order. You can also check out her list from last … Continue reading “Film Feature: Carrie’s Top 10 Films of 2018”
Nearly a year after Ernest & Celestine screened at the 56th San Francisco International Film Festival, this charming French animated film is finally being released into U.S. theaters (in the Bay Area on 3/28). I’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment, since Ernest & Celestine was not only one of my favorite films of 2013, but also … Continue reading “Spinning Platters Interview: Benjamin Renner, “Ernest & Celestine””
The formula of reverb-drenched-rock, guitar-drum-vocal, two-man band has proven itself, time and again, to be a successful combination. Acts like the Black Keys and the White Stripes proved that it could be done, and tore their way up the charts while they did so. It is, nevertheless, challenging, blending a careful balance of lo-fi and … Continue reading “Show Review: Two Gallants with Akron/Family and Future Twin at The Fillmore, 2/2/2013”
English writer Charles Caleb Colton is best known for his often-quoted observation that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, and in the modern age of parody and extreme ease of video/media creation, imitation sometimes climbs past sheer flattery to become art in its own right and make a new name for itself. Belgian singer-songwriter Gotye’s … Continue reading “Show Review: Walk Off The Earth with Selah Sue and The Mowgli’s at The Regency Ballroom, 11/30/2012”
(Want to skip to Day 2? Or maybe Day 3?) Let’s get one thing straight, right off the bat: There’s always going to be rivalry between Northern California’s concert scene and Southern California’s concert scene. We’re always looking for reasons to stay up here and not go down there. Never mind any of the usual … Continue reading “San Francisco’s 2011 Outside Lands Festival, Day 1”
