Film Review: “Joy Ride”

Joy Ride is the funniest summer movie in years

Stephanie Hsu as Kat, Sabrina Wu as Deadeye, Ashley Park as Audrey, and Sherry Cola as Lolo in Joy Ride. Photo Credit: Ed Araquel

Sex comedies are officially back! Maybe they never completely left, but the sub-genre felt as if it were suffering, scarce, or diverted to streamers as limited series. Over the last decade, only a few exceptions like Girls Trip (2017) and Blockers (2018) broke through and made a splash. Now, hot on the heels of the R-rated sex comedy No Hard Feelings doing impressive business at the box office, Joy Ride hits theaters. Joy Ride is the feature directorial debut from Adele Lim (co-screenwriter of Crazy Rich Asians) and comedy producing super duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (This is the End; Neighbors). It’s a raunchy road trip movie that doesn’t shy away from explicit content – so let’s be perfectly clear: it’s super dirty, and f*cking hilarious!

Continue reading “Film Review: “Joy Ride””

Single of the Week: “Go Back To Disnee” by Locate S,1

Remember the classic Rage Against The Machine lyric “Your Anger Is A Gift”? Locate S,1 have hit that nail so perfectly on the head. Especially since, if you aren’t paying attention, “Go Back To Disnee” is just a mellow, happy little groove of a tune. Except it once you start digging into exactly what frontwoman Christina Schneider was getting to: the struggle of celebrating this country in 2020 (the year this song was written), when COVID is running rampant with little regard for humanity and even lesser communication about what to do. George Floyd was just suffocated to death by a former co-worker turned police officer. Half the west coast was on fire. Who would’ve thought it could get even darker in the last three years? (JESUS!)  This single is perfect catharsis for dark times. Bitter irony and a catchy, bossa nova beat. 

“Go Back To Disnee” is the most recent single off Locate S,1’s latest record Wicked Jaw, in stores and streaming on July 28th. (PreSaOrderVe Here!) Locate S,1 is also traveling across this great land to perform for you! Tour Dates are here, and we are likely to be in the audience at the July 29th show at Thee Stork Club! 

 

MOSSWOOD MELTDOWN 2024 BLIND PRESALE TICKETS ON SALE

Photo by Grant Kerber

Did you attend Mosswood Meltdown this last weekend? Did you enjoy yourself? OF COURSE, YOU DID!!! Do you want to relive the fun/ live the fun for the first time? While, for another week or so, the whole thing is streaming on Twitch! Are you ready for next year already? Well, super-discounted early bird tickets are available NOW for Mosswood Meltdown 2024. The dates are July 6th & 7th. Do I know who’s playing? Absolutely not. But I like a bargain, and there is no way it won’t be stupid fun. Besides, both GA ($79+fees) and VIP ($159+fees) are $100 less than the door prices! 

Film Review: “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”

Dead Reckoning keeps the franchise flying high!

Death-defying stunt. Fight and chase. Team regroup. Death-defying stunt. Fight and chase. Team regroup. Death-defying stunt. Fight and chase. Team regroup. Although repetitive, this formula has been successfully carrying the Mission: Impossible franchise forward. It’s now on its seventh film, Dead Reckoning – Part One. The newest film showcases, once again, the finest action stunt work choreography in the film industry. Although the franchise continues to steer away from the intricate spy work that the original television series and first few films featured, there’s no denying that with Tom Cruise on screen and Christopher McQuarrie in the director’s chair, a thrilling cinematic experience is guaranteed.

Continue reading “Film Review: “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One””

MOSSWOOD MELTDOWN SET TIMES ARE HERE! JOIN US THIS WEEKEND!!!

GUESS WHAT!?!?! Mosswood Meltdown is THIS WEEKEND! Possibly the best lineup I’ve ever seen for an event, and it’s finally here! There are only a few tickets left for sale, and those can be purchased here. Join us to see legendary, groundbreaking acts Le Tigre, ESG, JJ Fad, and Bratmobile, as well as so many of my favorite bands ever- Mika Miko, Avengers, Snooper, Teddy Bear Orchestra, The Rondelles. Set times are below, and here’s a quick introduction to everyone playing! Continue reading “MOSSWOOD MELTDOWN SET TIMES ARE HERE! JOIN US THIS WEEKEND!!!”

Film Review: “No Hard Feelings”

Limp sex comedy offers few laughs

Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) and Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) share a moment together.

Actress and producer Jennifer Lawrence’s new film No Hard Feelings is being promoted as a sex comedy. The big problem, though, is that the picture features almost no sex and even less comedy. The film was directed by Gene Stupnitsky (Dirty Grandpa; Good Boys), who co-wrote the screenplay with fellow comedy writer John Phillips. They both were nominated for a Worst Screenplay Razzie in 2017 for their Dirty Grandpa script, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they receive similar honors for this lackluster comedic attempt.

Continue reading “Film Review: “No Hard Feelings””

Single of the Week: “Shy Boy” by Carly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen, according to several sources, made and scrapped a disco record called Disco Sweat. This record is on my long list of unreleased records that I would do ANYTHING to hear. Although it looks highly unlikely that Disco Sweat will ever see the light of day, this week, Ms Jepsen gifted us with the track “Shy Boy,” and I’m pretty sure this is close to the original vision of that record. It’s a bright, peppy disco number, complete with an actual “jam” at the end. It’s the Summer disco jam we always knew Carly had in her. 

I can’t wait to hear what else Carly Rae Jepsen has in store for us this year. Until then, you can enjoy “Shy Boy” in all the usual places. 

Film Review: “Asteroid City”

Wes Anderson’s latest is a multi-layered delight

I’d like to kick off this review with a question: what makes a Wes Anderson film the “most” Wes Anderson? Perhaps, objectively speaking, any Wes Anderson film, upon its release, is the “most” Wes Anderson, since that’s the project he’s put his latest ideas, artistry, and effort into. The unfairly subjective angle of this ranking, however, would require prioritizing Wes Anderson’s trademarks: the color palette, the quirkiness, the unique characters, and the cast size. Asteroid City, Anderson’s eleventh feature film as director, is, without a doubt, the “most”…. nah, I’m just kidding. Asteroid City represents a maturation in many respects, utilizing a multi-layered framing device to tell an oddball story about artistry, but with an emotional underbelly.

Continue reading “Film Review: “Asteroid City””

OUTSIDE LANDS 2023 NIGHT SHOWS ANNOUNCED!

As we dig deeper into Summer, it’s time for Outside Lands to start trickling out their “bonus content.” First off- the night shows! (Still to come- the Gastromagic Stage and Grass Lands lineups, and then we start our petition to bring back The Barbary!) Highlights (for me at least) include No Vacation (with Sour Widows) at the California Academy Of Sciences (!) on August 10th, L’Impératrice at Bimbo’s on August 11th, and an epic double bill of Soccer Mommy and SASAMI at The Independent on August 12th. So, yeah, it might be worth leaving Foo Fighters a hair early to ensure you get to The Indy by 10 pm, because you REALLY don’t want to miss SASAMI. 

Eager Beaver & Golden Gate Club ticket holders have the first opportunity to grab tickets with those presales running Wednesday, 6/21, from 10 am PT to Thursday, 6/22, at 11:59 pm PT. The festival ticket holder presale is Thursday, 6/22, from 10 am PT to 11:59 pm PT. Any remaining tickets still available for Night Shows will go on sale to the public on Friday, 6/23, at 10 am PT. Promo codes will be emailed to ticketholders shortly. Ticket links can be found here! A complete list is below: Continue reading “OUTSIDE LANDS 2023 NIGHT SHOWS ANNOUNCED!”

Show Review: Garbage, Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds, and Metric at Concord Pavilion, 6/6/23

This concert was an extremely rare event. Possibly described as a single-night festival hosting only the headliners.  Despite the unique opportunity, the majority of the crowd was late to arrive.   Unfortunately, this is typical for a mid-week show with a start time of 7 pm at a venue as remote as the Concord Pavilion.  Garbage executed an aggressive grunge-punk vibe; Noel Gallagher and High Flying Birds flowing chill melodies.  Metric was the perfect dynamic intro, as their versatile style lent a glimpse of what was yet to come. Continue reading “Show Review: Garbage, Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds, and Metric at Concord Pavilion, 6/6/23”