Category: Features

SFIFF in Review: Roger Ebert, James Schamus, and Other Highlights

The 53rd annual San Francisco International Film Festival concluded last night, thus ending this year’s edition of one of our fair cities’ most enduring and enriching cinematic traditions. After the jump, I’ll recap some of the festival’s highlights, ranging from Serge Gainsbourg lookalikes and Tilda Swinton speaking Italian, to James Schamus dismissing Brokeback Mountain enthusiasts and Jason Reitman teaching Terry Zwigoff how to be a douchebag.

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SFIFF Film Review: “Pianomania”

Stefan Knupfer featured in the documentary Pianomania, co-directed by Lilian Franck and Robert Cibis

As a child I was only allowed to listen to soft rock and classical music. Though I should have probably called CPS, I did not know any better. I do still however love both forms of music. This is probably why I thought Pianomania ruled. The music was absolutely enchanting. Continue reading “SFIFF Film Review: “Pianomania””

SFIFF Film Review: “Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky”

Anna Mouglalis and Mads Mikkelsen are quite believable as this iconoclastic pair

“Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky” twists the worlds of fashion, art, music and society together.  It screams about the new-ness inherent in the early 20th century: in music, in fashion, and in people’s relationships.  The film depicts the couple’s passionate affair along with what is billed (by the film) as each of their greatest works:  Stravinsky’s ballet “The Rite of Sping” or “Le Sacre du Printemps” and Coco Chanel’s iconic fragrance Chanel No. 5.  In this day and age where music and fashion are so intertwined the film successfully takes you into the world of 1920’s Paris where this was far from the truth.  Coco Chanel is the unlikely patron here, bringing Igor Stravinsky into her world with money, and with that relationship forged, the pair change each other’s art and direction. Continue reading “SFIFF Film Review: “Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky””

SFIFF Film Review: “Rejoice and Shout”

Rejoice and Shout, the latest music documentary from director Don McGlynn (The Howlin’ Wolf Story, Somewhere Over The Rainbow: Harold Arlen, and many more) is the most thoroughly researched and exhaustive film about African-American gospel music ever committed to film. In telling the story of gospel in America, it simultaneously mirrors the entire narrative of the African-American experience, beginning with slavery and ending with the election of the nation’s first black president. It is an ambitious undertaking, and for the most part, it is successful.

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A Music Nerd’s Guide To The San Francisco International Film Festival

As a world class city, we get some pretty impressive events. Often times, these events tend to pile on top of each other, such as Fauxchella overlapping with the San Francisco International Film Festival. Of course, piling into clubs night after night can seriously wear on even the most enthused music fan, and sometimes it’s pleasant to sit in a seat in an air conditioned theater. That’s where we can serve you. There are plenty of ways to enjoy your time as a music nerd at the SF International Film Festival, and this is your guide. Ticket information can be found here.

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Noise Pop Show Review: Wallpaper, The Limousines and Butterfly Bones at Slim’s, 2/26/10

Everybody wants to party with Ricky Reed

The Limousines

The Limousines were already on stage when I walked in a bit late.  The first thought that popped into my head was “this is going to be boring, because the music was very bland.”  First impressions though are a dangerous thing because they are often way off the mark.  After less than a minute, when the song changed and the beat started resonating with my heart beat, I started swinging my hips a little bit.  The crowd was very much loving The Limousines.  I can’t say the drunk energy was infections, rather it made me a bit envious that I wasn’t as drunk as everyone else; because maybe I would have enjoyed them more.  By the end of their set there was still a little blah quality that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.  At one point I thought it was either the singer’s voice or the lyrics.  And since I didn’t particularly dislike the singer’s voice, I guess by default that means the lyrics were what I didn’t like.  I felt that there wasn’t anything being said in the lyrics of the songs, as if a bunch of random words were strung together; nor was there any obvious difference from one song to the next.
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Noise Pop Show Review: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes at Bimbo’s 365 Club, 2/28/10

Happy happy joy joy all the time

Noise Pop is over, and what better way to bring the festival to an end than Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.  It was a lazy Sunday here in the city, so lazy that I lazily missed the opening bands at Bimbos and spent 20 minutes looking for parking because I was too lazy to take public transportation to beautiful Bimbo’s 365 Club.

But enough about my inability to be on time, let’s talk about Mr. Sharpe (actually Alex Ebert, front man of Ima Robot), his merry band of bards, and their ability to perform.  It would be an understatement to say that they put on a great show.  They had the crowd at a very giggly “Hello, San Diego!”  There was enough flannel in the audience to clothe Williamsburg in the winter, and by the smell of things, everyone was a jolly as the crowd at Woodstock. Continue reading “Noise Pop Show Review: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes at Bimbo’s 365 Club, 2/28/10”

Noise Pop Show Review: Magnetic Fields at the Herbst Theater, 3/1/10

The Magnetic Fields, unadorned.

“You’re REAL handsome.” This is what the toothless bum, who was propositioning me for a 3-way said, as I made my way to the Herbst Theater for The Magnetic Fields. I was running a real tight schedule and unfortunately I had no time for a toothless-three-way, I had a show to get to.

The Magnetic Fields were first introduced to be in the form of 69 Love Songs. I was amazed that I’d never heard of the band and even felt a little embarrassed. Since then the Merritt-led band have been gracing my iPod playlists, adding some unique perspectives on love and sound. They’re the type of band that most of your friends don’t know about and you feel real proud when you’re the one to pop their Fields cherry. Continue reading “Noise Pop Show Review: Magnetic Fields at the Herbst Theater, 3/1/10”

Noise Pop Film Review: Strange Powers Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields at The Mezzanine, 2/28/10

Added Bonus: Q & A with Stephin Merritt, Claudia Gonson and the Directors

The film Strange Powers, Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields opens with Stephin Merritt being interviewed by one of the directors.  She asks “What are you reading now?” and the question is greeted with a dark stare and stony silence.  This is how genuine the film is in its portrayal of this iconic songwriter, which is demonstrated in the Q & A after the movie.  Stephin Merritt doesn’t waste words.  Much like his song lyrics, his responses are concise and thought out. The good news is, for the most part, so is the film. Continue reading “Noise Pop Film Review: Strange Powers Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields at The Mezzanine, 2/28/10”

Noise Pop Show Review: Dizzy Balloon, The Hounds Below, Visqueen and Laarks at Bottom of the Hill, 2/28/10

I forgot my camera at home, so instead you get this reference to Bottom of the Hill Sundays of the past.

The annual Sunday day show at Bottom of the Hill is an odd little affair. The sunlight coming through the window feels jarring, for sure, but what was odd about this year’s version was the crowd. This was an all-ages show featuring a headliner made up of young boys playing sunny rock, and that brought a crowd of admiring teenage girls to the venue. Mix them with the usual Sunday afternoon crowd of hungover aging hipsters Noise Pop veterans, and what do you get?
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