Monkey – Spinning Platters

Film Review: Kubo and the Two Strings

‘Kubo’ is a visual masterpiece!

Beetle, Kubo, and Monkey looking high... — Beetle, Kubo, and Monkey looking high…

I’ve never seen stop-motion animation as inventively crafted or as embedded in the storytelling as I saw in Kubo and the Two Strings. Laika, the animation studio behind Coraline, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls, releases their most ambitious film yet with Kubo. Part parable and part fantasy epic, Kubo has a bit of everything, and though it gets a little over-indulgent in the final ten minutes, the film never feels overcrowded. Credit is due to first time director Travis Knight (son of Phil Knight, of Nike), who does a solid job of executing on an intelligent script by Marc Haimes and Chris Butler. The filmmakers infuse Kubo with unique action sequences, family-friendly humor, some nightmarish chills, and strong emotional themes. When these aspects are woven together with solid voice acting and stunning visuals, Kubo becomes a memorable cinematic tapestry.

Continue reading “Film Review: Kubo and the Two Strings“

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 9/4/14-9/10/14

The whole thing will be inside The New Parish tonight!

Thank you for enjoying the rock.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 9/4/14-9/10/14”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 7/24/14-7/30/14

It's Kitten vs Poodle Tonight in the Bay Area! Who are you going to see: Kitten at Bottom Of The Hill or Pookie & The Poodlez at The Night Light? — It’s Kitten vs Poodle Tonight in the Bay Area! Who are you going to see: Kitten at Bottom Of The Hill or Pookie & The Poodlez at The Night Light?

Thursday, July 24th

Kitten, Dear Boy, Your Cannons at Bottom Of The Hill

Kitten are, hands down, one of the top 10 live bands I’ve ever seen. Frontwoman Chloe Chaidez is the most fearless woman I’ve ever seen take to the stage. Sometimes I’m amazed that she is still alive, considering the type of torture she puts her body through on stage. This is their first time in the Bay Area since the release of their first full length record (after three excellent EPs). Their eponymous debut is a fun collection of synth pop songs with infectious hooks, and I highly recommend it. Although the live show is really the bread & butter with this band.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 7/24/14-7/30/14”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 1/30/14-2/5/14

I know we are all very busy with Sketchfest. However, check out these amazing music events, too!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 1/30/14-2/5/14”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 8/1/13-8/7/13

The lack of bunnies will be at El Rio on Saturday

We are only about a week out from Outside Lands, so you better get warmed up.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 8/1/13-8/7/13”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 1/31/13-2/6/13

Playing at The Fillmore this Saturday, and in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

We’re smack dab in the middle of SF Sketchfest, which we’re happy to call the Greatest Comedy Festival in America, and Dakin’s running around laughing himself silly, so I’m taking over the task of recommending shows for those of you who love music but hate laughing. That can only mean one thing, though … more sports references! Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 1/31/13-2/6/13”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 6/16/11-6/22/11

Can’t think of anything funny or witty to say… So here’s some Breeders lyrics:

Saints alive you’re saying
Walk in … squares
The hid are out, out for the year
It’s a lot of face
A lot of crank air
Eroding around here

Summer’s ready
Summer is ready when you are

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 6/16/11-6/22/11”

Spinning Platters Picks Six: Reasons You Should Still be Going to Warped Tour

Summer’s finally officially here, which means it’s time for yet another Warped Tour to begin. Yes, the Warped Tour you went to in your youth, and now make fun of in your adulthood, is still going. If you ever catch yourself saying something like “I’m too old for that crap,” you should resign from the music nerd community immediately. There’s some great reasons to continue to go to Warped Tour, even if you’re no longer in the pit but sitting on the picnic benches in back. I’ll give you six good ones here (specifically for June 26 at Shoreline Amphitheater); feel free to leave more in the comments.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Reasons You Should Still be Going to Warped Tour”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide To Bay Area Concerts: December 9th-December 15th

Opening For The Aquabats on Saturday Night

It’s a really big week this week, mostly because this is widely viewed as the last week people can get down and party before focusing their attention (and finances) the the wretched beast known as “Late December Holiday Season.” So, for all of you out there that wish to blow all that money you’ve been saving on a nice new golden chariot for grandma, here are a few really great shows for you to attend:

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide To Bay Area Concerts: December 9th-December 15th”

Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet July 14th-20th

Flipper at Cafe du Nord Friday Night! Bring swim trunks!

Let us continue to guide you to high quality live musical performances in your greater civic area. Provided that your area is the same as my area. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet July 14th-20th”