Film Review: Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot

The self and its discontents

Joaquin Phoenix as John Callahan and Jonah Hill as Donnie star in DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT.

Over the years, the director Gus Van Sant has returned time and again to his favorite subject: our constant struggle with self-deception and our many, mostly failed attempts at self-discovery. Let’s start with some dreamy-eyed pharmacy thieves (Drugstore Cowboy), move to homeless hustlers (My Own Private Idaho), catch up to a hitchhiker with enormous thumbs (Even Cowgirls Get The Blues), watch an aspiring TV Newswoman (To Die For), and let’s not forget the genius mathematician janitor at M.I.T. with girl trouble and the world’s funniest psychologist (Good Will Hunting). Van Sant’s characters show what an illusion we can be to ourselves. Does he return to this ground in Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot? Absolutely. Is it worth it to follow him yet again on this journey? Mostly.

Continue reading “Film Review: Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot

Show Review: The Gossip with Passion Pit & Hey Champ at The Mezzanine, 12/10/09

Beth Ditto loved the wreath
Beth Ditto loved the wreath

When it’s a dual-headlining show I never know what to expect.  Despite the great line-up, this one had two strikes against it to start: being at the Mezzanine and being sponsored by Live105.  Not that I hate either of those things in and of themselves, but both tend to bring out people I am not so fond of.  That was definitely true again, as a member of the Spinning Platters senior staff was accosted by a drunk concert-goer, making the evening seem unsuccessful and awful.   But everything that went wrong in the Passion Pit portion of the evening (drunk bitches included), all became better in The Gossip portion.  Passion Pit should take notes. Continue reading “Show Review: The Gossip with Passion Pit & Hey Champ at The Mezzanine, 12/10/09”

Show Review: The Gossip and MEN at The Regency Ballroom, 10/25/09

Beth Ditto belting it out.
Beth Ditto belting it out.

Can I take a nap instead of writing this review? Believe it or not, that’s a complement to last night’s show by The Gossip. I’m exhausted and that’s often the most tell-tale way for me to know I had fun at a show. Continue reading “Show Review: The Gossip and MEN at The Regency Ballroom, 10/25/09”