Je t’aime French New Wave Films…
Many moons ago, I became fascinated with French new wave films from the 1960’s. I love everything about them. The nonchalant attitude, the music, style, clothing and the romantic grittiness of the films. If you are interested in learning the history of French New Wave and getting the lo-down on which directors and films started the movement, check out “French New Wave” by Jean Douchet. It is a great coffee table book and worth the hefty price tag.
I bring up this great genre of filmmaking because, Stella Artois and The Auteurs presents Recyclage de luxe online film festival! The best of the french classics of the ‘60’s will be available online for free! One week only (Dec. 15-21). Examples are Francois Traffuat’s “400 Blows” and Jean Luc-Godard’s “Vivre Sa Vie”.
Enjoy!
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The Soft Pack answers to noone…
About a year ago, I wrote an article for SanDiegoish.com about a launch party for Commune Wednesdays and a band called The Muslims played. The event was deemed a success. Since then, it seems, The Muslims grew out of their name and into something bigger which became The Soft Pack: Matt Lamkin, Matty McLoughlin, Dave Lantzman and Brian Hill. (essentially, the same group of B&B San Diego fellas just a different band name).
The Soft Pack uprooted from San Diego to Los Angeles, opened up a couple shows for frenchies Phoenix and are about to release a new album.
I am really excited about their new self-titled album out on February 2, 2010! Their first single off the new album is called “Answer to Yourself”. You can pre-order the album from Insound.
If you haven’t heard The Soft Pack, check them out. I am not here to tell you who they sound like, decide for yourself.
The Soft Pack will be performing at the L.A. Record Xmas Party (On the Bedrock) on Saturday, December 19. The show is FREE with a donation of a toy. You can RSVP here: rsvp@larecord.com
The Soft Pack ‘Answer to Yourself’ from their self-titled album out on 2/2/10.
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Dinner with the Band comes to IFC (sneak peak)!
I think my new mission is to meet Chef Sam Mason and become his assistant! He not only can cook, but he interviews bands and is the host of a new series called “Dinner with the Band” on IFC. DWTB debuts in April 2010. IFC has been teasing us with starter portions of the episodes every Tuesday night at 11p.
“Dinner with the Band” is the first ever culinary/music performance/talk show - and I am really excited about it!
On the IFC website, Sam Mason describes the show, “The perfect night out for me always includes food and music,” said Sam Mason. “This show uncovers and recommends great bands, great food and great cocktails—and gives people an intimate glimpse of these artists’ lives.”
The sneak peak menu for today, Tuesday December 8: Les Savy Fav! On the menu is: Les Savy Pheasant w/ Mason Monfongo and Mango Rice; and Je T’aime Punch.
Oh but wait, it gets better!!!!!
According to the IFC website: “To complement the show’s on-air play, IFC.com will feature recipes, bonus footage and behind-the-scenes moments from each episode, including additional performances from each band.”
Talk about Nom Nom Nom AND ear food!
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The Rapture lose a member and gain a producer!
Back in June, The Rapture announced on a blog post that their co-front man Mattie Safer left the band. The band (based in N.Y. now but Luke and Vito are from San Diego) may have downsized to a trio but just sealed the deal with a great new producer.
Philippe Zdar (Cassius) spoke with Pedestrian tv last month and confirmed that he would be producing the new Rapture album.
Zdar has produced some impressive work, including the latest Phoenix album, Cut Copy and remixing the likes of Daft Punk and Air.
No word on the release date of the new album…. until then, you can pick up ‘Tapes’ (2008) which is The Rapture’s first mix album.
A film can tell a story without having a story…
Usually when you watch a film, there is an obvious plot or definite story line. But sometimes, you get a cinematic treat that allows you to view and soak in the detail and beauty of: the architecture; colors; landscape and subjects being filmed. During the duration of the film, your mind creates a story of its own.
“The Limits of Control” directed and written by Jim Jarmusch was recently released on DVD. The film follows a man on a mission. The main character is played by veteran Jarmusch film actor Isaach De Bankole. He does a smashing job - especially since he is in nearly every frame of the film. He comes across many characters (Tilda Swinton, Gael Garcia Bernal, John Hurt and Bill Murray) throughout the film that all play a part in his ultimate goal.
The best part of the film, in my opinion, was the AMAZING cinematography by Christopher Doyle. I was was blown away by every detail and scene deliberation throughout the film, that I watched it in three parts. It is a slow film, with minimal dialogue - but the dialogue is poignant. Quotes like “Sometimes the reflection is far more present than the thing being reflected” make you think during the film.
If you need more action and adventure in your films and are less of an art house filmgoer - you may not enjoy this as much (you might fall asleep).
“Reality is arbitrary.”
Check out the film trailer (Focus Features): here
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What a blustery day…
San Diego is experiencing it’s first winter storm. With wet roadways, the accidents have nearly trippled and the wind has caused significant damage. Those in the midwest and on the east coast are probably scoffing at us but hey, it’s stormy weather regardless.
I am listening to a plethora of sirens as I type this because a tree has fallen over and blocked Rosecrans (which is a main thoroughfare in and out of Point Loma).
Here are some photos:
Be safe and for f*ck’s sake, SLOW DOWN!
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End of year lists, R3 building and Cat Power!
It is already December which means 2009 is coming to an end. The yearly lists are being compiled and you will see what made the cut in 2009 in pretty much every category possible.
When I was skimming the web, I came across this entertaining assessment of The Evolution of the Hipster 2000-2009, courtesy of Paste Magazine.
Another thing I noticed while browsing the interweb, was a shout out to San Diego on the Design Milk website! Yes, local architect Lloyd Russell was mentioned in an article about the R3 Building in Little Italy.
And on a side note: Cat Power (Chan Marshall) is working on a new album! Bitchen!
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Sundance announces 2010 competition line-up
She’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain January 21-31, 2010… The 2010 Sundance Film Festival will be held in Park City, Utah at the end of January and they have just announced the line-up. The 112 feature-length films represent 38 countries and were selected from 3,724 films (that is a lot of time judging). At the festival, 79 films will be world premieres.
Films to look for in the U.S. Documentary Competion are:
“Waiting for Superman” (Director: Davis Guggenheim - ‘Inconvenient Truth’), “Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child” (Director: Tamra Davis), “I’m Pat______Tilman” (Director: Amir Bar-Lev) and “CASINO JACK & The United States of Money” (Director: Alex Gibney)
Highlights in the U.S. Dramatic Competition are:
“Sympathy for Delicious” (Director: Mark Ruffalo - Actors: Orlando Bloom, Juliette Lewis, Laura Linney, Mark Ruffalo and John Carroll Lynch), “Hesher” (Director: Spencer Susser), “Blue Valentine” (Director: Derek Cianfrance) and “Welcome to the Rileys” (Director: Jake Scott - Actors: James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart and Melissa Leo).
Additional Actor Highlights in the 2010 Competition are:
Natalie Portman (“Hesher”), James Franco (“Howl”) Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams (“Blue Valentine”) and America Ferrera (“The Dry Land”).
To buy tickets to Sundance 2010: http://festival.sundance.org/2010/boxoffice/
If you can’t make it to Park City, Utah, they’re bringing the festival to you (well, sort of).
According to the Sundance Film Festival website:
On Thursday, January 28, the Sundance Film Festival will dispatch eight filmmakers with their films from Park City to eight cities across the country to screen and discuss direct-from-Festival films with audiences. Tickets will be available through each theatre’s individual box office. All films will be selected from the official Sundance Film Festival program to be announced in December.
Participating cities and theatres:
• Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, MI
• Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA
• BAM in Brooklyn, NY
• Music Box Theatre in Chicago, IL
• Downtown Independent in Los Angeles, CA
• The Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, TN
• Sundance Cinemas Madison in Madison, WI
• Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco, CA
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