Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 3/20/14-3/26/14”
Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 3/20/14-3/26/14
Film Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Anderson’s old fashioned adventure tale captivates, delights
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Ralph Fiennes as Gustave H. and Tony Revolori as the Lobby Boy Zero contemplate their options in The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Wes Anderson is one of those polarizing filmmakers whose films are either loved or hated. His legions of fans delight in his highly stylized artistry, whimsical storytelling, and quirky characters, while his detractors deride his pictures as pretentious at worst and lightweight at best. Anderson’s newest offering, The Grand Budapest Hotel, however, should satisfy his fans and critics alike, as it melds his trademark fairy tale sensibility with an undercurrent of melancholy and solemnity that keep the picture from being too cloying or precious. Continue reading “Film Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Film Review: Bad Words
Charming, crude, and rudimentary. R-U-D-I-M-E-N-T-A-R-Y.
(Click here to see my video interview with Jason Bateman)
There is something delightfully sadistic about taking an innocent and formal pastime such as the national spelling bee and flipping it on its head through vulgarity and unabashed crudeness. Bad Words, which has already drawn comparisons to 2003’s Bad Santa, manages to find that coveted happy zone in which the audience can cheer on an antihero, even when the antihero engages in some truly despicable acts. Star Jason Bateman, who also makes his film directorial debut with Bad Words, knew that a relatable lead character with a story to tell (and legit motive) would be just as important to the success of the film as the level of crudeness. Hats off to Mr. Bateman for pulling it off, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else who could.
Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 3/13/14-3/20/14
It’s a time for brightly-colored short people this week in The Bay Area – namely, leprechauns and one certain Minneapolan.
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Happily, Celtic punkers Flogging Molly happen to be passing through the Fox Theater in Oakland on their tenth and final Green 17 tour.
And just the next night, Prince will be playing the same stage. You can be sure that the Twin Cities’ favorite son will be bringing quite a few purple guitars to The Fox. Green, then purple! The Joker would be pleased.
Here’s what else is coming up this week.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 3/13/14-3/20/14”
Show Review: Darlene Love at The Nourse Theater for City Arts and Lectures, 3/7/2014
In a brilliant display of great timing, City Arts and Lectures welcomed “Oscar winner” Darlene Love to their stage at the Nourse Theater on Friday night for an evening of question answering and singing. As both the opening act and the headliner, she managed to be highly entertaining on both counts, literally leaving the crowd wanting more. Continue reading “Show Review: Darlene Love at The Nourse Theater for City Arts and Lectures, 3/7/2014”
Spinning Platters Interview: Jason Bateman, “Bad Words”
Jason Bateman makes his feature film directorial debut with the hysterically foul-mouthed Bad Words, in which he also stars as Guy Trilby, a forty-something disgruntled middle-school drop out who exploits a loophole in the rules guiding a national spelling bee in order to participate in the contest — but why? There’s more than meets the eye in this black comedy, and I sat down with Mr. Bateman to discuss how Bad Words came to be…along with some other fun stuff while witnessing firsthand his trademark dry humor:
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Bad Words comes out in theaters March 14, 2014.
Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 3/6/14-3/12/14
Thursday, March 6th Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 3/6/14-3/12/14”
Visual Reflection on Noise Pop 2014
Once again Noise Pop delivered a entertaining variety of outstanding artists. The concert series for me started off with Lord Huron and the Super Humanoids at the Fillmore. Then Bottom of Hill for Wild Moth, who reminded me of an alternative version of the Ramons; Vir, high energy and fun; Bottomless Pit, well harmonized balance of fun. Friday at 1015 Folsom, I was generally surprised by Kelela with her captivating mix of pop and blues in acapella and followed by Majical Cloudz, who boosted the high energy of the venue even higher. One can easily understand why they are an European favorite.
Noise Pop Review: Dr Dog, Moses Sumney, Saint Rich at The Warfield, 3/1/14
Moses Sumney was a sentimental surprise as he kicked off the evening. His emotional acoustic and soulful balladry lifted everyone to the smiling, smooth side of R&B. His performance gave an opening emotional dynamic to the show by allowing a vulnerable, emotional connection to what was yet to come.
Just prior to Dr. Dog was Saint Rich. Saint Rich, a New Jersey skateboarding enthusiast, had an eccentric life stage performance. Complimented with the musical harmony but not to duplicate Dr.Dog.
Closing the exciting Noise Pop Festival was – Dr. Dog. When their fans packed the Warfield, Dr. Dog knew exactly how to respond with current favorites “The Truth” and “Lonesome” while blending in a favorites from the past such as “These Days” and “Oh No”.
Dr. Dog certainly has a loyal fan club in the Bay Area. The simple reason is, each of their albums sequentially build on the one before while remaining true to the original unique sound. Each performance enhances an appreciation of their vintage harmonizing sound. Still true to the east coast vibe; yet, unique enough to remain unclassified from the common pop and indie trend. Just one of many reasons Dr. Dog will remain a Bay Area favorite.
Win a VIP pass to SF MusicTech Summit XV
SF MusicTech Summit is not only the Bay Area’s largest, longest-standing, and most respected music tech conference, it’s in the same league with nationwide and worldwide gatherings such as MIDEM and SXSW Music. Year after year, it brings together the best and brightest from all areas of the music industry. Want in? We’ve got one pass to give away to a lucky reader – read on to find out how it can be yours. Continue reading “Win a VIP pass to SF MusicTech Summit XV”