21 (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
July 31st, 2008
“She’s an 8”
“Wrong! She’s a 7.649”
“I was rounding up.”
The movie 21 (2008) has a Spiderman feel to it. Ben Campell (Jim Sturgess) starts out as a clueless bookwork with a mind for numbers, and then he’s discovered and becomes a less clueless bookworm bent on gaining charisma and respect. This is a two hour movie based on math. It is a mathematic suspense movie. (emily) Read on…
Rattlesnakes! at House of Sheilds ($5)
July 31st, 2008
Rattlesnakes! at the House of Shields was a match made in some undiscovered heaven. House of Shields is a small classy joint on New Montgomery, lit by red chandeliers and populated with bronze statues of naked women. The “stage” is a tiny balcony. Rattlesnakes! are a classic rock/soul inspired band with a small but passionate following. The venue had me prepped for some sultry guitar riffs and raspy girl-you-got-me-good lyrics, and Rattlesnakes! delivered. (emily) Read on…
Meet Bill (First Look)
July 26th, 2008
“I’m going to be old and waxy and working at a bank. Now my pants are riding up my a–.”
The internet can not seem to agree on the title of this movie. Its either Bill or Meet Bill (2007), but it doesn’t really matter, either way its hilarious. Imagine if Aaron Eckhart’s character from In the Company of Men (1997) matured, became nice and compiled just enough self-loathing to be endearing, and you’d have Bill: just your average schmuck with movie star good looks stuck in a loveless marriage being neutered daily by his father-in-law. (emily) Read on…
The Bank Job (Lionsgate)
July 26th, 2008
“Smut, smut and more smut. That’s my special area of interest.”
When I see the phrase “based on true events,” underneath the title of a movie, I understand that I will probably be expected to learn something from said movie. Either that, or I will be forced to have an opinion about a weighty political matter. The Bank Job (2007) has that very tagline, but it manages to come on like junk food and go down like a history lesson. (emily) Read on…
Movin’ On Up: The Music & Message Of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions [Reelin’ In the Years Productions]
July 26th, 2008
The folks responsible for the incredible Jazz Icons series are back with an equally stunning retrospective on the late Curtis Mayfield and his early days with The Impressions. Original members Fred Cash and Sam Gooden recall the group’s origins with lead singer Jerry Butler and later, Mayfield, whose writing skills and musicianship turned them into one of the voices of the civil rights movement. Interviews with producer Johnny Pate, Chuck D., Carlos Santana, Altheida Mayfield, Andrew Young and others (including Curtis), fill in the story from different perspectives, while the 25 complete performances trace the evolution of the band from gospel singers to the conscience of a generation. The music of The Impressions and later, Curtis’ solo work has stood the test of time and this extensive examination of their careers demonstrates how valuable their contribution was to African American culture to more political and socially-oriented themes.
Senator Obama Goes To Africa [First Run Features]
July 26th, 2008
This originally came out on DVD at the end of 2007, but since clinching the nomination, First Run Features has begun promoting it again and who can blame them? If the Obama camp needs more ammunition to prove that the candidate has his finger on the pulse of world politics, this documentary is it. Barack went in search of the village in Kenya where his father was raised and encounters massive crowds waiting to see him at every stop. He’s obviously moved by the outpouring of emotion and as always, his speeches and comments are thoughtful, diplomatic and insightful. Included in this trip was a visit to South Africa to see among other things, the prison where Nelson Mandela was kept for over 20 years and a Darfur refugee camp in Chad. Anyone wishing to gain more insight into the man who may very well be our next president, should put Senator Obama Goes To Africa on their must see list between now and the first week of November.
The Ruins [Lionsgate]
July 26th, 2008
I generally don’t prepare to watch a film by reading the book first, but that’s what happened with The Ruins – a pretty scary and fairly original story by Scott Smith (who also wrote the screenplay). During a vacation in Mexico, two couples and a new friend from Germany decide to go on an adventure and visit a set of ruins that are not on the list of any guidebooks. As they set foot on the base of the structure, they’re surrounded by Mayans who refuse to let them leave, forcing them to climb to the top. Once there, they discover a deserted campground and something evil living in the foliage that covers the entire temple, and then……..I won’t spoil it for you. The film remains pretty close to the novel and the special effects are as good as I had imagined them, so you know it’s got to be pretty creepy. One of the better horror films of the past year, The Ruins is part sci-fi, part monster flick and guaranteed to make for a spooktacular evening.
Californication: The First Season [CBS DVD]
July 26th, 2008
Fans of The X-Files and The Larry Sanders Show already know of David Duchovny’s gift for comedy, but it’s this dark, edgy Showtime series where he really gets to shine. Hank Moody (Duchovny) is a best-selling author with a bad case of writer’s block. He’s moved to L.A. to be near his estranged wife and daughter and hates everything about Hollywood and especially, how his novel was watered down into a movie designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Although he’s trying to convince his ex-wife to break up with her new fiancé and come back to him, he’s easily seduced by hotties of all ages and confronts his self-loathing by sleeping with anyone and everyone. Like Entourage, Californication casts a jaundiced eye on the lifestyles of the rich and famous, exposing the egotism and navel-gazing of the beautiful people whose sad lives are masked by the veneer of fame and fortune. Moody’s relationship with his daughter is the most honest and transparent thing in his life and it’s clear that despite his despicable behavior, she loves and respects him anyway. As the former Mrs. Moody, Natascha McElhone is caught between her past and future life – she’s smart enough to realize Hank’s shortcomings, but doesn’t seem convinced that she’s really in love with the man she plans to marry. Madeleine Martin is adorable as the misfit daughter and wannabe rock star and Evan Handler is hysterical as the agent trying to get Hank’s career back on track, even if it means forcing his client to blog about his failed experiences in L.A. Californication is smart, sexy and addictive – Duchovny won the Golden Globe last year for best actor, while the show itself was nominated for best TV series, musical or comedy. If you’re an adult looking for some fun summer viewing, you can’t do better than this, that is until season two comes around in the fall.