For those of you that have been following Spinning Platters since it’s inception (Hi, Mom!), you may recognize one of the two names sharing authorship of the book Bay Area Stand Up Comedy: A Humorous History. Yup! Our one-time comedy editor, OJ Patterson, has graduated from the world of volunteer blogging to become an actual published author! I’m so very proud!!! (I’m actually weeping a little. Don’t mind me!) I’m also very sad that, within his bio within the book, there is no mention of our little pocket of the internet. I won’t hold that against him, however. Because he, along with fellow Bay Area stand-up comic Nina G, has gifted the world with something that we’ve desperately needed: a written history of the highly influential Bay Area stand-up comedy scene.
Film Feature: 65th SFFILM Festival Preview Spotlight #1
The 65th SFFilm Festival will take place April 21 – May 1, 2022, with screenings at various venues around the Bay Area. This year, the festival program features over 130 film from 56 countries, so there are plenty of options for everyone.
We’ll bring you spotlight coverage of many of the films leading up to and during the Festival. Here’s a look at five features and a short to get things started — get your tickets before they sell out!
1.) THE EXILES
(USA, Taiwan, France, China, 2021. 96 min)
A fascinating documentary that spotlights legendary Chinese documentarian Christine Choy (Who Killed Vincent Chin?) as an avenue into revisiting the massacre at Tiananmen Square and three high profile exiled dissidents. Produced by Steven Soderbergh and winner of this year’s Sundance Documentary Grand Jury Prize, The Exiles takes an honest look at the active erasure of history, and exemplifies the power of documentary filmmaking to preserve memories, events, and movements.
Screenings (click here for tickets):
– Sat., April 23rd, 3:00pm at the Victoria Theatre
– Sun., April 24th, 2:00pm at the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive
Continue reading “Film Feature: 65th SFFILM Festival Preview Spotlight #1”
Film Review: “All the Old Knives”
Old knives sharp enough for satisfying spy thriller
Danish director Janus Metz brings a chilly Scandinavian sensibility to his adaptation of Olen Steinhauer’s 2015 spy novel All the Old Knives. The serviceable picture keeps the viewer at some remove from the characters, but presents a story just entertaining enough to absorb us.
Film Review: “Sonic the Hedgehog 2”
The colorful SEGA spiny mammals are back and fully charged!
If there’s one thing the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog films have shown, it’s that Jim Carrey is sorely missed as a regular on-screen presence. His performance in 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog was, not so arguably, the best part of the film and without it the film would’ve been easily dismissed. The sequel, coming out only two years after the first, is a rare instance of more-is-better working for a franchise. Carrey remains the main draw, and he once again delivers the manic goods. Two new colorful iconic characters from the SEGA game’s universe, Tails and Knuckles, are fun additions. Unsurprisingly, the addition of extended plotlines surrounding minor side characters isn’t as fun. Like a broken record, I’ll once again say that movies are too long these days. Sonic 2 is twenty minutes too long (23 minutes longer than the first movie). Despite some extraneous tangents, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 doubles down on the jokes, the action, and the energy.
Film Review: “Ambulance”
Call an Ambulance, because I’m sick with satisfaction!
Something happened at the end of Ambulance that I didn’t expect when the movie began. I cared. I cared for the characters. I haven’t cared for characters in a Michael Bay film for nearly ten years, back when Pain & Gain came out, and even that barely registered as honest emotion. I’m not going to defend Ambulance as a great film, nor a really good one. It stumbles in many of the same ways we’ve come to expect from Michael Bay’s projects, that is, in terms of story and confusing camerawork. However, as a piece of high concept escapism, Ambulance is a spectacular time at the movies.
Album Review: Wet Leg / Wet Leg
There hasn’t been a debut rock record anticipated as hotly as Wet Leg’s debut in over 20 years. I haven’t seen this kind of prerelease hype since The Strokes’ monster debut Is This It. Continue reading “Album Review: Wet Leg / Wet Leg”
Show Review: Wet Leg at Bimbo’s 365 Club, 3/29/22
If you’re reading this on Spinning Platters, chances are this isn’t the first time you’re heard of Wet Leg. I’ll spare you the lengthy gushing and simply say that Rhian Teasdale speaks in plain terms about modern life with idiosyncratic idioms with a deceptively blasé elocution. Continue reading “Show Review: Wet Leg at Bimbo’s 365 Club, 3/29/22”
Film Feature: Carrie Picks the 2022 Oscars
Who will – and who should – win the 94th Academy Awards
The 94th Academy Awards air tonight, Sunday, March 27th, on ABC at 5:00 pm PST. After a pandemic pause last year, I’m back this year to share my predictions — and hopes — for the major categories. The show could pique more interest this year, since the controversial decision was made to shorten the program by moving eight of the 23 categories off screen. Protests may happen, and hosts Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes are sure to have some pointed commentary. Tune in to see how it all plays out, and to see close I (and you!) get to picking the winners.
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Show Review: Perfume Genius with Hand Habits at The Fillmore, 3.21.22
Photos by Tiffany Black-Darquea
For one night, as Perfume Genius (Michael Alden Hadreas) brought the second show of their tour to the bay, The Fillmore had a spectacular mirror ball swinging across its stage, all graceful arcs and delicate reflections.
Continue reading “Show Review: Perfume Genius with Hand Habits at The Fillmore, 3.21.22”
Continue reading “Show Review: Perfume Genius with Hand Habits at The Fillmore, 3.21.22”
Single Of The Week: “sad disco” by mxmtoon
I’ve often said that the most rebellious music is disco. Being able to dance in the face of darkness is a far bolder move than anything presenting anger and violence. “sad disco” is one of the most vivid presentations of that feeling that I’ve ever heard. Oakland’s mxmtoon is clearly ready for the next level in her career, and this song is going to be the anthem for what may be the most confusing and weird Summer of our lives.
“sad disco” is the first single off mxmtoon’s upcoming record, rising… out May 20th. You can enjoy the single here! And, after the jump, you can get an eyeful of tour dates! Continue reading “Single Of The Week: “sad disco” by mxmtoon”