I find Quentin Tarantino using San Francisco's Zeitgeist completely apropos. The place, with its rough and tumble atmosphere, port-a-potties, and almost-attached tattoo parlor, a fitting set for one of his movies. Apparently he liked it enough to stay long past midnight.
According to the linked article, he walked into a couple people using the port-a-potties and attached the blame on them for not locking it behind themselves. I completely agree. If you're desperate enough to use the portable facilities, you better lock it if you don't want an unexpected guest; even if it is a widely acclaimed Hollywood director.
All this talk about Zeitgeist, and the good weather we've had lately to boot, makes me want to make a return. Anyone game?
I did a little writing for a friend at about.com. I figure I don't mind writing about this stuff anyway. Why not get a little freelance work... pro bono. Read it direct from the source at about.com - Juno Soundtrack Review.
There's a reason why the "Juno Soundtrack" topped Billboard's Top 200 list four weeks after its release and it has a lot to do with the movie it was made for. Like the movie, the soundtrack is sharp but innocent, performed as youthful melodies of guitar and rhyme. Barry Louis Polisar's first line of "All I Want is You" sets the tone for both movie and album: "If I was a flower growing wild and free/All I want is you to be my sweet honey bee."
The music is saccharine. The songs are about growing up, and being unapologetically young. These are the kind of songs that could be heard written and played by teenagers in their rooms.
Pros
"Piazza, New York Catcher" by Belle & Sebastian
"All The Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople
"Anyone Else But You" by Michael Cera and Ellen Page
"Loose Lips" by Kimya Dawson
"All I Want is You" by Barry Louis Pollsar
Cons
"Vampire" by Antsy Pants. (Though you can't blame it for being "sucky." Ha!)
Sonic Youth performs a fuzzy melancholic version of the Carpenters' "Superstar." (As Juno's line in the movie goes, "Sonic Youth ... is just noise." Wait, maybe that's a pro ...)
Description
Topped Billboard's Top 200 list four weeks after its release.
Kimya Dawson's whimsy is infectious, and a great introduction to the Moldy Peaches.
A solid and cute soundtrack for a solidly cute film.
Guide Review - Soundtrack Review
Have you ever been to one of those parties where someone admits they play the guitar, then someone urges them to play and the person refuses until the rest of the group insists--and then they play a simple tune with a slightly out-of-tune voice? The Juno soundtrack sounds like that party. Every song is sweet and innocent, a light tale told from the heart that lightly touches the heavy notes while also masking them with inside jokes about teen high jinks and video games.
Ivan Reitman and Ellen Page were the brains behind bringing in The Moldy Peaches' Kimya Dawson. As discussed in the liner notes, Reitman asked Page what she thought her character, Juno, would listen to. In a manner that befits an actor who knows her character well enough to be nominated for an Oscar, Page recommended The Moldy Peaches. Singer/songwriter Dawson writes her songs like they were children's drawings; they're both whimsical and psychologically telling. In "So Nice So Smart," she balances lyrics about sneaking in your house to do roofies with your spouse and an admission that she likes to wear a bunny suit because it makes her feel cute.
I wouldn't say her songs are shallow. They play almost ethereally, as if they were stream of consciousness. And that is what makes you fall in love with them.
Producers Peter Afterman and Margaret Yen supplanted Dawson's tracks with those of indie darlings Belle & Sebastian, Sonic Youth, Cat Power, and The Velvet Underground. The indie tracks add some legitimacy to the sometimes light album.
Probably the most notable addition is actors Michael Cera (Bleaker) and Ellen Page's (Juno) version of the Moldy Peaches' "Anyone Else But You." Compare it to The Moldy Peaches original version (also on the album) and you'll find a surprising amount of heart and sweetness in the movie version--right down to the audible kiss at the end.
This is a brilliant piece of writing by a former reporter for Dateline NBC. This article touches on a problem with how American's get their information, and probably even more volatile a situation than the American political one. It deserves your attention.
A little peak into what this week has been like for me. My wife has been very patient with me. I've been a little baby, judging pretty much everything on a scale corrolated directly to the pain of the sore throat I had. Our cat kept me company through the hours of sleeping. That was 100 times better than my sore throat.
I'm coming around now. I'm a little slower than usual, but no worse for wear.
Videos like the one above and the original Office makes me think we're really missing out on some good comedy here in the U.S. We sure offload our sitcoms over there. From what I can tell, the Simpsons are HUGE in the U.K. How about a little loving back, eh? On a related tangent, I think network execs could learn a little from the length of their series in the U.K. They seem to conclude with grace and dignity after two or three seasons and maybe a Christmas special. Hear that Lost, 24, Friends, and Heroes?
I don't even get BBC America any more (just added that to my Comcast gripe list). I think I'll put Fawlty Towers on my Netflix queue.
Mix all remaining turkey pieces in leftover gravy. Hopefully you planned for the sandwiches earlier by preparing extra gravy.
Lightly toast two slices of whole wheat bread. Heat the stuffing and turkey to taste.
Spread the mayo and mustard on the toasted bread slices. Spread the turkey/gravy mixture on the bread, add stuffing and a dallop (again, to taste) of cranberry sauce to the stuffing. Put the remaining slice on top and apply pressure to the sandwich Scooby Doo style.
We played a show at Hotel Utah last night and found out that they are no longer having dinner service on Sunday. What the...? Their burgers (and garden burgers) were the highlight of playing there.
The show went well. It was our second with our new Viola player. It was my first after Dana and my trip. I only had four practices before last night's show, and I think everything went pretty well considering. We had some distracting feedback on stage but the video work that played behind us (thanks Whiteyonthemoon) made up for it. At one point, Chris and I caught ourselves watching the video instead of the audience at the end of a song. The sound guy was great. I don't fault him for feedback as much as I can blame a lot of equipment on a very small stage. I must do something about my bass amp. It has deteriorated to the point of sounding flatulent at it's top volume. Luckily, the fact that it is barely audible over the drums saves me from everyone noticing how bad it sounds and my occasional screw-up.
I'm still trying to get a handle on show dynamics and etiquette. I have a hard time in regard to other bands on the bill. We are all pretty much in it together and we're all pulling for a good night. I'd say there's a good amount of camaraderie. But what are the rules here? Stay until the last band finishes? How do you divvy up the money? Where do you put the equipment. Do you move another band's stuff if you need room for your own?
I get embarrassed when I complement another band. It is hard to sound authentic when complimenting a band member. "Jeez man, I really like your stuff" sounds so fake no matter how much you really mean it. That said, whiteyonthemoon were fantastic last night. They are really evolving their sound and I'm a fan. They were gracious hosts and good people. We were honored to open for them.
We are anxious to play again, but probably not at the Hotel Utah. We've played there more than any other place and I think we all agreed that we need to stretch our legs a bit and maybe even get a proper weekend show. Besides, life is about priorities. And without burgers, what have you got?
Diablo Cody: "Even if you hate Fleetwood Mac, you have to at least watch the end of this. The way she looks at him when she sings 'Never get away...' CHA-HILLS runnin' up my spine, brother!"
It's been a while since I blogged so I figured this would be a good re-introduction. A blog post of a blog post? Is that cheating? I cut corners. Especially when someone's post looks and smells like mine, but, you know, a lot better.
Anyway, this Blogger's spot-on with Fleetwood Mac. Watching this video gives you the chills. All those years of being a gypsy; I think Stevie Nicks learned a thing or two about black magic. If anything, it shows the amount of love still flowing between those two, in a relationship that is never to be. Check out this video and be prepared to be haunted. This woman is every man's worst breakup nightmare.
While you're at it, check out Diablo Cody's cool name and bitchin picture. Very L.A. Rockabilly hipster, don't you think? She got that little 40's pin-up 'tat, black hair, and that devil-may-care punk attitude. I can't wait to check out her new movie Juno. By the way, Juno's director Jason Swartzman (Thank You For Smoking, Ivan's son) is also blogging in the entertaining fashion only Hollywood writers and directors can.
