Thrillers you Have to Stream Immediately

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Elise Thompson

BLACK PHONE

Blumhouse, the king of horror, has done it again. Black Phone is in many ways a standard kidnapped-victim-in-the-basement movie, but with a few supernatural twists. A disconnected telephone in the kidnapper’s basement allows “The Grabber’s” former victims to talk to the protagonist, giving him advice, and occasionally showing up in all their bloody, murdered, glory–which is the only gore in the entire movie. Where this movie truly excels is in giving us time to get to know the characters and get really invested in them. Kudos to the young actors for fully inhabiting their roles and making it believable. Ethan Hawke is unrecognizable, and not just because of the creepy-ass mask. His “Grabber” is understanding and friendly, like a person who knows how to talk to kids, which makes it even scarier. Especially juxtaposed with that creepy-ass mask. You will get sucked in. By the way, if a stranger ever asks you if you want to see a magic trick, run. FX and Amazon.

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watt’s picture of the week – sunday, january 8, 2023

Posted on January 8, 2023 by Mike Watt

ok!

photo by mike watt

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mike watt’s hoot page

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This Weekend is a Great Time to Adopt a Dog

Posted on January 7, 2023 by Karin E. Baker

Image Credit: Ventura County Animal Services.

Have you been thinking about adopting a dog? This Saturday and Sunday – January 7th and 8th – Ventura County Animal Services is waiving the usual adoption fees for canines!

Thousands of dogs are currently in need of rescue in Southern California. Both the Camarillo Shelter and the Simi Valley Shelter are participating in this event, as each location has an abundance of lovable dogs that could use a good home.

Adoption hours are between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Camarillo location and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Simi Valley location.

The Camarillo shelter is located at 600 Aviation Drive (zip code 93010), while the Simi Valley Shelter is at 670 W. Los Angeles Avenue (zip 93065)

You can see photos of the adoptable dogs here.

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Movies Till Dawn: House of the Saturday Morning Strange

Posted on January 7, 2023 by Paul Gaita

“House of Terrors” (1965, Mondo Macabro) In the wake of her husband’s mysterious death, Yuko Kusunoki inherits the titular manse, a gloomy country estate on a mountain side with a hunchbacked caretaker (Ko Nishimura) and spirits intent on doing harm to Kusunoki and her companions, which include two highly suspicious doctor (one of whom is her creepy father-in-law), and her niece. Director Hajime Sato’s supernatural horror title for Toei is steeped to the rafters in black-and-white Gothic atmosphere (voices in the night, drifting fog, a murder of crows, Satanic statute) that favorably suggests, at times, the Italian efforts of the period – so much so that the only available print of the film prior to Mondo’s Blu-ray release was one dubbed in Italian – and not one but two particularly frightening and malevolent ghosts; in short, a must-have for fans of both early Asian horror and Gothic screen terror. Mondo’s Blu-ray delivers a 2K restoration of this extremely rare title and adds the original Japanese language track (with English subs), as well as typically informative commentary by Tom Mes and info on Toei’s horror efforts by author/historian Patrick Macias. Continue reading →

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LA Through a Cracked Lens: Billy Idol Gets His Star on the Walk of Fame

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Brian Donnelly

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watt’s picture of the week – sunday, january 1, 2023

Posted on January 1, 2023 by Mike Watt

out w/2022 and in w/2023… happy new year, good people!

photo by mike watt

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mike watt’s hoot page

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Jon Geiger Brings His Unique Blues Style to SoCal Clubs To Fire Up The Winter

Posted on December 26, 2022 by Ed Simon
Jon Geiger playing guitar

Jon Geiger, “Eyes Closed”, photo by Krystal Kozak

Jon Geiger is certainly one of the most talented guitarists, writers and composers to come along in recent memory. Part of it comes from the mix of music genres in his background—he can incorporate jazz, classical, funk, rock and soul into his blues base. Part of that comes from his musical background. Jon grew up in on the East Coast, playing guitar in his native New York City. However, a defining moment for him was getting accepted to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he was exposed to and ultimately taught a good dose of jazz guitar. With a staff that included some of the top East Coast musicians, Jon learned from some of the best in the business. Jon will be talking to the Los Angeles Beat in an exclusive upcoming interview.

Jon’s next major move was to Austin, where he immersed himself in the city that Stevie Ray Vaughn lit up with hard-driving blues. Jumping ahead, Jon relocated to Los Angeles and the South Bay, where he’s been playing steadily at top-notch clubs like Harvelle’s and the Lighthouse Cafe. Besides his headlining shows, Jon Geiger has also opened for Robben Ford, John Mayall, Charlie Sexton, Doyle Bramhall, and Joe Ely among other greats.

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Movies Till Dawn: Ghost Stories for Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Paul Gaita

“Ghostwatch” (1992, 101 Films/MVD Visual) British mock-documentary (though nothing about it is funny in the least) tricked out as a live TV investigation of supernatural activity involving a mother and her two daughters plagued by a poltergeist whose scope of menace quickly expands beyond their cramped London home. Director Lesley Manning and writer Stephen Volk (“Gothic”) are exacting in their attempt to pass off “Ghostwatch” as a real BBC special, complete with real TV presenters (Michael Parkinson, Sarah Greene, Craig Charles of “Red Dwarf”) and a call-in line which was besieged by terrified viewers who believed that the broadcast was real during its original (and to date, only) broadcast. Manning’s use of the documentary/news-style approach (a common horror technique today, but fairly unique in ’92) proves exceptionally effective here: the blandness of the camerawork and the presenters’ cheery banter is deceptively soothing before the supernatural phenomena overtakes not only the house but also the broadcast itself in initially subtle (and exceptionally creepy) ways that lead up to an all-out assault. A considerable (if not always acknowledged) influence on the “found footage” horror subgenre and a high-water mark for TV fright fare, “Ghostwatch” gets a 30th anniversary presentation with 101 Films’ standard and Limited Edition Blu-rays, which feature a retrospective making-of doc, highly informative commentary by Manning, Volk, and producer Ruth Baumgarten (a second and equally enjoyable track features historians Shellie McMurdo and Stella Gaynor), as well as an archival interview with Manning. Those with a few extra ducats should pony up for the Limited Edition release, which adds a reproduction of Manning’s shooting script with her annotations, a booklet featuring essays on the impact of the original broadcast and a short-story sequel by Volk, art cards, and reversible cover art.

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Last-Minute Christmas Dining in LA, 2022 Edition

Posted on December 22, 2022 by Karin E. Baker

Spiked Hot Chocolate at El Granjero Cantina. Photo Credit: Photography by Tonelson.

Christmas is just days away. Whether you’re a procrastinator, your plans changed, or you just haven’t made a decision yet on where to dine in LA on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you’ll find great options, from decadent luxury feasts to meals with more accessible price points, on our list below.

Savoring a three-course White Truffle Tasting Menu is a great way to spend Christmas Eve. You’ll find that special offering at Nerano in Beverly Hills. Start with antipasto:  Burrata con Tartufo Bianco made with imported Apulian Burrata, San Danielle Prosciutto, and rosemary focaccina. The primo course is your choice of Tagliolini al Tartufo Bianco with handmade tagliolini pasta, butter emulsion, and Parmigiano Reggiano, or Risotto al Tartufo Bianco. Chef Michele Lisi’s dolce is Panna Cotta con Miele al Tartufo: vanilla panna cotta, truffle-infused honey, and hazelnut granella. Each course is enhanced with freshly shaved White Truffle from Alba, Italy. Five luxurious Christmas Eve dinner specials will also be available. More info here.

One of LA’s most renowned seafood restaurants, Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood is open on Christmas Eve. A special three-course dinner is available from 4 p.m. onwards, featuring a starter (lobster bisque, 1/2 dozen oysters, or market salad), main (smoked rib roast or cioppino), and bourbon bread pudding for dessert. You can find more information here.

Nested against the water, SALT at the Marina del Rey Hotel is celebrated for high quality, bold flavors, and stunning marina views — in fact, it was awarded “Best Ambiance and Outdoor Dining” on the Westside by OpenTable’s Diner Choice. This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, guests can savor SALT’s traditional holiday Roasted Prime of Beef with potatoes and red wine jus, along with SALT’s regular brunch and dinner menus. Note that SALT will close early, at 8:00 p.m., on both nights. You can make reservations here.

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