Film Review: “Freaky Tales”

Oakland and Berkeley real stars of fantastical  ’80s period piece

A crowd of punk music fans prepares to defend Berkeley’s 924 Gilman.

I’m not sure how well Freaky Tales will play in middle America, but for those of us who live or grew up in the Oakland area–especially in the late 1980s–the movie is like our own personal valentine. Weird, wild, and more than a little crazy, the Oakland and Berkeley-set film is a rousing ode to Mayor Lionel Wilson’s Oakland, with its attendant complex mix of charm, edge, creativity, and simmering racism and misogyny. 
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Single of the Week: “Last Girls At The Party” by The Beaches

Howdy! It’s another week in hell in the United States, and I’m forever stuck on the story of the US citizen that was sent to a labor camp in El Salvador “accidentally,” and “Ooops! We can’t do anything about it!” and fuck. So, yeah, The Beaches from our friendly neighbors to the north have gifted us something purely fun. “Last Girls At The Party” is a bubbly little dance-rock number here to show us that Canada will probably win in all this nonsense. 

“Last Girls At The Party” is the first single off The Beaches upcoming record, No Hard Feelings. I can’t wait. But I’ll have to because it’s coming out August 29th! And if you presave, you can enjoy The Beaches on their DJ-set tour (Yup! I’m surprised too): 

April 16 – Los Angeles 

May 17 – London, UK

May 20 – Amsterdam

May 21 – Brussels

May 23 – Berlin

June 7 – NYC 

August 2 – Montréal 

Film Review: “The Friend”

A somber dramedy for writers and dog lovers

Iris (Naomi Watts) and Apollo go for a stroll.

Aspiring novelists and dog lovers, I have the perfect film for you! The Friend is a dramedy adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s National Book Award-winning novel. Though the book takes a unique approach by not giving the characters names except for the dog, Apollo, the film utilizes a traditional style and narrative structure. Despite its handful of plot contrivances, The Friend is a somber yet inspiring reminder of the power of strong friendships, where deep conversations come easily and unique personal connections are irreplaceable.

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WET LEG ARE BACK!!! “catch these fists” out now! New Album Out July 11th!!

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES.

It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for new Wet Leg. It’s only been three years since their epic debut album became, well, MY most listened to record of 2022 AND 2023. But we finally have a new single, “catch these fists,” and you can find it here. The new album, moisturizer, is out July 11th and can be preordered here!  We’ve also got a Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon appearance on April 2nd, and so many EU tour dates that I’m worried they won’t have time to visit us in the ‘ol USA. (Please, please, please pay us a visit?)

 

Show Review: Bit Brigade at Nectar Lounge, 3/23/25

“Virtuoso Musicianship via 80’s Nintendo Game Delivery System”

Long before I saw any live music or before I even owned an album on CD or cassette I listened to countless hours of Japanese composers that I didn’t know the names of as I fettered my preteen hours away playing video games on my Nintendo. To say that these songs had an impact on me would be an understatement. Experiencing Bit Brigade play two of the games I played the most often last Sunday night tapped into something more important to me and my development as a music listener than I can quite put into words. 

Show Review: Franz Ferdinand with Telescreens at The Warfield, 3/28/25

The last time I saw Franz Ferdinand live was in 2013, and they played a last-minute gig to raise money for a fan who lost everything in a fire. It was in the basement of the clothing store Vacation in the Tenderloin and admission was “Five Lotto Scratchers.” It was pretty damn magical. Like, in my top 10 show experiences ever. The problem with seeing a “peak magic” show is that it’s hard to go back.
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Film Review: “Bob Trevino Likes It”

Bob Trevino Likes It, and so will you 

Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo) and Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira) get to know each other after meeting on Facebook.

Bob Trevino Likes It is the first movie I’ve seen this year to make my 2025 Top 10 Films contender list, and no matter what else comes out this year, I’m going to reserve a spot for this exceptional picture. After garnering a slew of film festival nominations and awards, including winning both the Grand Jury prize and the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at last year’s SXSW Festival, Bob Trevino Likes It is now showing in theaters. You shouldn’t miss it. 
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Film Review: “Death of a Unicorn”

Death of a Unicorn gallops around without a point

Everyone stares at the dead unicorn.

Undoubtedly, a lot of time and effort went into making Death of a Unicorn. There’s also little doubt that the filmmakers knew that with their film’s plot, and especially its title, their futile goal was to launch their film into immediate “cult classic” status. Everyone knows that cult films earn their “cult” status naturally and gradually. And so, unfortunately, Death of a Unicorn takes a unique premise and surrounds it with an abundance of half-baked ideas and incomplete characters. Death of a Unicorn is neither demented enough for a niche horror audience, nor entertaining enough for a mainstream audience. Perhaps the filmmakers got lost in the sauce, for what could’ve been a simple creature feature is, instead, a sloppily assembled, undisguised commentary on wealth, with a heavy-handed father-daughter subplot sprinkled in, because, why not? Continue reading “Film Review: “Death of a Unicorn””

Single of the Week: “Pants” by Samia

6:56 is the song length. In a different era, this one wouldn’t work as a single because radio wouldn’t play it. And usually I HATE long songs. But this one requires every moment of those nearly seven minutes. I’ve listened to it several times, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around what it’s actually about. But it’s such a sweet and tender and emotionally naked song. It takes turns several unpredictable turns, and I adore it. 

“Pants” is off Samia’s upcoming record, Bloodless, in stores and on your computer on April 25th. Prepare accordingly. 

Film Review: “The Penguin Lessons”

A charming tale with a heartwarming duo at its center

Tom (Steve Coogan) and Juan (penguin) teach Masefield.

The Penguin Lessons has all the recognizable tropes of an inspirational true-story Disney adaptation of the early 2000s; the film effectively utilizes a serious real-world backdrop but doesn’t deeply explore it, the protagonist (a teacher) recites literary passages that closely (albeit metaphorically) parallel the plot, and there’s a really cute beacon of innocence at the heart of the story – typically an animal or child, and in this case, a penguin. Based on Tom Michell’s memoir, The Penguin Lessons has enough heart and humor to elevate it above its predictive outline, and the chemistry between Steve Coogan and his absolutely adorable penguin costar(s) is worth the watch. Continue reading “Film Review: “The Penguin Lessons””