The boys from Foster the People do their best “Weekend at Bernie’s” impression at a concert in the new music video for their song “Houdini”. Foster the People are launching their summer 2012 tour on May 29th. The show includes three sold out nights in Central Park as well as the Greek Theater in the S.F. bay area. What do you think of Foster the People’s music video for their song “Houdini”?
By : Keith Davis
*** 1/2 STARS
With their tongue firmly in cheek, Joss Whedon and his team have written one of the most original horror movies ever put onto the silver screen. Throughout the film I found myself in disbelief, but in a good way. “The Cabin in the Woods” starts out just like thousands of horror movies before it have; a cliche gas station with a racist attendant, the stereotypical cast of victims (the wise stoner, the blonde who puts out, the aggressive jock etc.) and the all too creepy secluded “cabin” (which is the true star of this entertaining flick). This movie delivers the goods with real shocks, uncomfortable laughs and gore with a sly “wink wink, nudge-nudge” that only serious movie geeks and hardcore Whedon fans will enjoy.
The most fun part of “The Cabin in the woods” is how the marvelous screenplay flips and twists our preconceived notions of these characters from the get go. All the tired, old fashioned horror movie standby’s we have come used to are torn to shreds within the first 30 minutes. The genius of the screenplay is how it plays out like a horror movie embedded in a tightly wound conspiracy flick. I can’t get into too many of the gory details about this genius movie with out giving away some of the more mind blowing themes. Let’s just say this movie is unlike anything we have seen before.
The “Cabin in the Woods” is a smart, and occasionally daring, homage to horror movies that both satirizes the genre and brings new life to it. I won’t be so bold as to declare this movie one of the “Best Horror Movies Ever Made”, but it does feel like the ultimate visualization of the genre. For all of its many intellectual surprises, and scathing commentary, “Cabin in the Woods” is a visceral thrill ride that once it’s over, you just want to get back on and go again. This is my favorite film of the year, so far.
Rihanna and Coldplay’s collaboration, “Princess of China,” now has an accompanying video, even though the British group is nowhere to be seen in the actual clip. This latest Coldplay album has been lingering longer than Jessica Simpson’s pregnancy. This latest single is another strong outing, if not the last pick of the litter ala’ Katy Perry’s “Part of Me.” What are your thoughts? Leave me a comment below.
Scheduled to appear at the Castro theater in San Francisco for Milk Day on Tuesday, May 22nd are Dustin Lance Black, “Milk” Oscar-winning gay screenwriter, and union organizer Cleve Jones, a gay man who was close friends with Milk and consulted on the film. Frank Robinson, who was Milk’s speechwriter, is also expected to speak.
A VIP reception at 6 p.m. costs $50 and includes pre-show appetizers and drinks, reserved seating, and a glitzy entrance to the theater. A number of local retailers are providing food, drink, and gift items, including the Human Rights Campaign, Swirl, 440, Southern Wine, Kasa, 4505 Meats, La Mediterranee, Shoe Shine Wines, and Vine Connections.
“We will have a red carpet and drag queens womanizing the red carpet for VIPs,” said event organizer Michelle Lutz. “We are hoping it will just be a really fun and big party.”
Tickets for just the 7:30 p.m. movie cost $15. Proceeds from the night will offset the costs for the academy’s after-school, science, arts, nutrition and civil rights programs.
The fundraiser is the only event planned in San Francisco set to take place on Milk Day itself. Organizers hope to sell out the theater and expect to raise $26,000 after paying a $4,000 rental fee for the venue. If it goes well, the school may make a film screening an annual Milk Day affair.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE “MILK” SCREENING
WATCH THE “MILK” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW
“Magic Mike” is the “out of left field” dramatic comedy set in the world of male strippers, “Magic Mike” directed by Academy Award winner Steven Soderbergh (”Traffic”) and stars Channing Tatum in the title role. The film follows Mike as he takes a young dancer called The Kid (Alex Pettyfer) under his wing and schools him in the fine arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money. Also starring Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer, Joe Mangianello, Olivia Munn, Riley Keough, Cody Horn and Adam Rodriguez. “Magic Mike” hits theaters June 29. I am intrigued.
The official trailer for the “Total Recall” re-make starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, John Cho and Bill Nighy is finally here. The familiar plot goes as such; As the nation states Euromerica and New Shanghai vie for supremacy, a factory worker (Farrell) begins to suspect that he’s a spy, though he is unaware which side of the fight he’s on. If you have seen the groundbreaking original then you know this has the possibility to be out of this world, no pun intended.
“Ted” is an upcoming comedy directed, co-written and co-produced by “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, and Seth MacFarlane as the voice of Ted. The movie, which is the feature-length directorial debut for MacFarlane, is about a teddy bear that comes to life after John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) makes a childhood wish. The hard rated comedy is set for a July 13, 2012 release. What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below.
By: Kevin O’Sullivan
*** STARS
MDNA the album is just like MDMA the drug. It’ll make you feel intensely euphoric but ultimately leaves you feeling sad and crying over burnt toast or in the case of this album, a broken heart. Yes, this is the divorce album and Madonna uses it like one long therapy session holding nothing back while making us dance at the same time. Is it bad that I just sorta thanked her for getting a divorce because it gave us good Madge music? Here’s my superfan review of each song:
Girl Gone Wild: When I first saw the title of the song I cringed. What new life could Madonna breathe into being a bad girl. But when I listened to this song in the context of the album, it made sense – she’s just a girl, getting over a guy wanting to have a good time again. And boy does that catchy ‘hey ey-ey-ey’ toy with you obsessively.
Gang Bang: A deliciously dark, twisted thumping treat, one of my favorite tracks off the album. A revenge song clearly written with a certain Guy in mind that brings you into Madonna’s fantastical mind where she is a woman scorned taking vengeance on her ex-love, “if I see that bitch in hell, I’m gonna shoot him in the head again”. Somewhere even Alanis Morissette is cowering.
I’m Addicted: All throughout her career Madonna has professed to being a romantic. And with each breakup she still professes her belief in love. This song reiterates that notion. She’s addicted to love and I’m addicted to listening Madonna sing ‘I need to dance’ in this song followed by some killer beats.
Turn Up The Radio: Get in your car. Roll down your windows (make sure it’s not raining). And turn up the radio with this song playing. Why? Because Madge said so and because this song is worthy.
Give Me All Your Lovin: Undeniably catchy, fun and completely inane. The deluxe version of the album includes a remix called the ‘Party Rock Remix’ featuring LMFAO (you know, those guys with the big hair who were on the SuperBowl halftime show with her).
Some Girls: Sounds like something off Christina Aguilera’s ‘Bionic’ album and that’s not necessarily a compliment. Solid track, but nothing too stand out-ish except for a wicked farty beat.
Superstar: Cute little ditty with a catchy little ‘oh la la’ hook but also a bit cringe-worthy when she’s name drops John Travolta and Marlon Bando. Celebrity name dropping worked in ‘Vogue’ but it can stop now. Fun fact – Madonna’s daughter Lourdes sings background vocals on this song.
I Don’t Give A: Hadn’t had enough of Madonna rapping about her lifestyle from American Life? You’re in luck here! My favorite part of this song is not the rapping however, but the orchestra that kicks in towards the end. Damn that’s good stuff.
I’m A Sinner: Leave it to Madge to make sin sounds so much fun! Listening to this song is like going to confession on a dancefloor.
Love Spent: As said on 30 Rock, “WORDPLAY!”. Madge has some fun here with the song title & lyrics. Well written and good use of banjo. Yes, I said banjo. And I said good.
Masterpiece: Personal pet peeve of mine – songs written by artists for a movie that are then thrown onto said artist’s upcoming album. It’s a pretty song that won Madonna a Golden Globe but has no place here.
Falling Free: Ballad time! Or, as Madge liked to call it on her Blonde Ambition tour, the time when everyone got up to get a hot dog. Beautifully arranged song with some of our girl’s best vocals dripping with emotion especially towards then end when you can literally to hear her voice break. Honest, vulnerable and haunting.
*BONUS TRACKS*
Beautiful Killer: Someone has a dangerous crush on someone dangerously dashing. Beautiful Stranger sequel anyone?
I Fucked Up: I fucking love this fucking song. Partly because Madonna recorded a song called ‘I Fucked Up’, partly due to the pure joy I get from hearing her sing ‘I Fucked Up’ over and over again, but mostly because this song is fucking awesome.
B-Day Song (featuring MIA): This song is not fucking awesome. I’m sure some gay men will get some pleasure hearing Madonna sing a Cher lyric. Not this one. It’s silly, sloppy and sounds more like an experimental jam session in the recording studio than a well-constructed song. Not sure how MIA got talked into this one.
Best Friend: Another Mr. Ritchie break up song but just like any of us who break up with a love, this one is more remorseful than vengeful. Overall the song is a bit of a miss for me, but we get the message – we all feel like we lose our best friend when we break up with someone. Sad face emoticon.
(MADONNA “GIRL GONE WILD” MUSIC VIDEO)
American Royalty, the Los Angeles three piece, is known best for their explosive live show and genre-bending blend of psychedelic blues-rock and electronic experimentation. The Brooklyn based trio enlisted illustrator and animator Jeff Scher to create the video for the EP’s title track which is a kaleidoscopic trip through a spectrum of prismatic watercolor images. So far, I like what I hear and see. What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below.
A snippet of “King of Hearts” has been floating around the Internet for a couple of months now and I am finally seeing the light, this is one hot track. Diddy’s number one chick decided the time was right to release her long overdue sophomore album this Spring. With “King of Hearts,” Cassie rides the European-pop wave that has flooded music over the last couple of years. Are you a fan? Let me know your opinion of Cassie below by leaving a comment.
By: Claudia Pierce
*** STARS
I’ll admit I went into this movie expecting very little. In my own defense, a movie based on a mediocre, late 80’s TV show didn’t seem like it had that much to offer. I think a friend of mine summed it up best when he asked “They couldn’t just call it ‘Undercover Cop Movie’??” Exactly. Why did it have to be a remake -couldn’t it be its own thing? This was my mindset going in, but I’m glad to report this mindset was quickly set aside as I realized this was the funniest movie I’d seen in a long time.
The movie opens with the good looking and popular Jenko (Channing Tatum) bullying the nerdy, pudgy Schmidt (Jonah Hill) in High School. Fortunately, we are spared the long back-story, and are immediately cut to present day, with Schmidt and Jenko running into each other 8 years later, as they are both enlisting for the Police Force. As it turns out, they each have their difficulties with basic training. Schmidt is book smart, but not physically fit. Jenko is great at sports but not so bright. In a strangely realistic turn of events, the two find comfort in their (albeit rough) history and decide to stick together to help each other through. They become friends in the process, and make it through graduation. However, they end up being poor excuses for cops, and are therefore assigned to a “tired, recycled, police program down on Jump Street”.
Just like the TV show, the precinct at 21 Jump Street is made up of youthful looking cops who go undercover to break up High School crime rings. Thankfully, that’s where the similarities end. Where the show was pure drama, and attempted to make every episode into a PSA, the movie doesn’t take itself seriously in any way, and in fact makes many efforts to laugh at itself. They point out that the movie is a tired remake. There are lots of jokes pointing out the fact that Hill and Tatum both look waaaaay too old to be in High School. There are numerous jokes in regard to how little 25 year olds would relate to High School seniors, and the obvious generation gap that can take place in just 8 years.
So what did I love about this movie? For starters, it was hilarious. The script was comprised of clever writing, with enough drug and dick jokes to keep it mildly trashy. There were countless moments where I was literally leaned forward in my seat, laughing hysterically, and trying to catch my breath. It was also smart, and action-packed, but realistic in its smarts and action. Schmidt wasn’t suddenly hopping fences in a single bound. Jenko wasn’t saving the world at every turn. They were still not the best cops ever, but with determination and each other’s help, they were getting through it. Surprisingly, this was also very much a sweet movie about friendship, and second chances. Schmidt and Jenko both got another shot to do high school right, providing the characters –and the audience- some sense of fulfilling closure that neither they, nor we, realized we needed. This movie was fun, lighthearted, hilarious, and worth my money and time. Hill and Tatum have a very real chemistry that showed through, and left me wanting more.
One of the upcoming 2012 projects that I will be watching closely is David Cronenberg’s “Cosmopolis” (possibly my favorite director of all time), based on the novel of the same name by author Don DeLillo. The story mirrors James Joyce’s “Ulysses” as it follows one man’s journey across Manhattan in search of a perfect haircut in his tricked out, bullet-proof limousine. Along the way he has chance encounters with his wife, co-workers, and other strangers that become part of his journey. This film looks full of Cronenberg’s trademark grotesque imagery and morbid themes. Are you a fan? Let me know your thoughts below.
Madge’s latest is a blend of “Justify My Love”, “Fever”, “Human Nature” and “Vogue”…and that isn’t a bad thing. Madonna’s latest single took a while to grow on me but eventually I realized when Madonna makes a dance album, she does it well. What are you thoughts? Leave a comment below.
The trailer for Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s latest outing sure is a head scratcher. From what I can remember the original “Dark Shadows” t.v. show wasn’t a slapstick comedy. With “Bang a Gong” playing in the background this venture looks a bit sillier than what we have come to expect from Burton and Depp, and not in a good way. The recent “Fright Night” (2011) remake was a perfect example of how to mix horror and comedy using vampires, this may miss the mark but we shall see. What do you think? Leave a comment below.
Adam Sandler is at it again. Looks like another cheap, stupid movie with a paper thin gimmick and plenty of cracks to the balls and fart jokes to go around (except this time around Sandler is doing his best “Columbo” impersonation). I wish Sandler would do more serious films, at least I would watch one of his movies that way. As it stands, Sandler is on a roll putting out offensive, disposable comedies disguising them as “family” films. Are you a fan of Sandler? If so please tell me what the appeal in his antics is by leaving a comment below.
Santigold is one of the most original and cutting edge music artists on the scene today. Fans have been waiting a long time for the follow up to Santigold’s critically acclaimed first album. “Disparate Youth” is one of the first tracks to surface off of Santi’s new CD. The song has a terrific music video that only exemplifies Santigold’s hip persona and cool personal style.
If this first song is any indication her sophomore album is going to be just as refreshing as her first outing. After seeing her perform twice and being blow away both times, I can hardly wait to see her perform her new music at this year’s Coachella Music Festival in 5 weeks! Leave a comment below if you love this new track.
It’s been a little over three years since English duo, The Ting Tings released their debut album “We Started Nothing” in 2008. Their latest single “Hang It Up” is a terrific follow up to a stellar freshman album. The Ting Tings are no flash in the pan, this is evident by this latest slice of rock/pop/dance music heaven. What do you guys think? Leave a comment below.
Simple concepts can go a long way. Just watch the newest mesmerizing video from dream team Ewan Jones Morris and Casey Raymond for DJ Shadow’s song “Scale it Back,” off of his newest album “The Less You Know, the Better”, and you will know what I mean. I’m looking forward to watching DJ Shadow at this year’s Coachella music festival. Are you a fan of DJ Shadow? Leave a comment below.
Neighborhood Watch revolves around a pack of suburban dads (Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn) and one nerdy bachelor (Jonah Hill) who form a neighborhood watch group as an excuse to hang out and take a break from their loved ones. However, when a legitimate threat to the local population emerges, these aging professionals have to start “serving and protecting” for real. That is the official synopsis, but really we all can tell this may be a bloated mess much like “Tower Heist.” What are your thoughts?
