Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
Sorkin, Boyle get the Job(s) done with fast-paced drama Perhaps no picture has been more anticipated here in the tech capital of the Bay Area than the Aaron Sorkin-penned and Danny Boyle-directed biopic of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, based on Walter Isaacson’s best-selling 2011 biography of the same name. Sorkin and Boyle, with their similar … Continue reading “Film Review: Steve Jobs”
We’re midway through the 58th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF), and we’ve got more spotlights for you! There’s still a week of films and events left to go, so it’s not too late to get in on the fun; the Festival closes May 7th. Tickets and more information can be found here, and keep … Continue reading “SFIFF58 Spotlights #5: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl/Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine/The New Girlfriend/Time Out of Mind”
Last year, the Canadian punk band PUP released the fantastic The Unraveling of PUPTheBand, a concept album about that exact topic. Touching on themes of corporate influence in popular music and the absolute anguish of actually being in a band, it ironically is the most joyous music the band had released yet, sliding into the sounds … Continue reading “Spinning Platters Interview: Steve Sladowski of PUP”
Spinning Platters presents “How Did I Get Here?” is available most everywhere you enjoy podcasts. You can find us and subscribe here! This week’s guest is legendary Phoenix-based concert promoter Stephen Chilton, aka Psyko Steve. We talked about how he got his start putting on shows in high school, and how he turned that into a full … Continue reading “Spinning Platters presents “How Did I Get Here?” Episode 12 with Stephen Chilton of Pskyo Steve Presents”
“Jobs” is uninspired and constantly misses the mark…unlike Steve Jobs. Most of us know about Apple, Inc. If you were born in the early 80s, you may even remember many of the corporate controversies, lawsuits, etc. that Apple had to trudge through before profitability in the late 90s. If you were born later, it’s likely … Continue reading “Film Review: Jobs”
We’ve already shared two previews for you (here and here), but at last the day is almost upon us: the 47th Mill Valley Film Festival opens tomorrow, Thursday, October 3rd, and runs until Sunday, October 13, 2024. Screenings take place in Marin County theaters and at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA). … Continue reading “Film Feature: Preview #3 of the 47th Mill Valley Film Festival”
Knockin’ me out with those American lights: AC/DC conflict energizes, despite few flaws I don’t blame you if you’re confused by the phrase “Director’s Cut” above. A director’s cut of a film usually implies that an earlier, theatrically released version preceded it. But, in the case of The Current War, no, you didn’t miss a … Continue reading “Film Review: The Current War: Director’s Cut“
I believe in Yesterday: It’s a must-see The “alternate fiction” genre has grown in popularity in recent years, with books, movies, and TV shows positing questions like, “What if Hitler had never been born?” or “What if JFK hadn’t been shot?” as starting points for fresh and creative stories. Director Danny Boyle and screenwriters Jack … Continue reading “Film Review: Yesterday“
Call in a 999 on this picture: Talented cast can’t save derivative crime story If you’re a fan of dark, atmospheric, incomprehensible crime thrillers, then wow, is today ever your lucky day. With Triple 9, Australian director John Hillcoat (The Road; Lawless) and first-time feature film screenwriter Matt Cook have crafted one of the darkest, … Continue reading “Film Review: Triple 9”
Film critics Carrie and Chad on who will – and who should – win the 88th Academy Awards The 88th Academy Awards air this Sunday, February 28th on ABC at 5:30pm PST (as always, red carpet coverage begins much earlier, if you want to dish on fashion highs and lows). Spinning Platters film critics Carrie … Continue reading “Film Feature: Carrie and Chad Pick the 2016 Oscars”